$1.5 investment will establish new community space for all ages
TIPTONVILLE, Tenn. — Representatives from the Town of Tiptonville and the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation recently broke ground on the BlueCross Healthy Place at Quake Lake Park, creating a new community space for residents to enjoy.
The town applied for BlueCross Healthy Place funding in August 2023 in response to requests from residents looking for an outdoor space for children and additional amenities for their community.
BlueCross Healthy Places are designed to strengthen communities across Tennessee by providing neighbors with places for connection and healthy activity.
The BlueCross Foundation is providing $1.3 million for the project build and an additional $200,000 for a maintenance fund, bringing the total investment to $1.5 million.
Keith King, manager of the BlueCross Healthy Place program, said, “We are excited to partner with the Town of Tiptonville on this new space, adding much-needed amenities to the area that will help bring residents of all ages together.”
Features in the new space will include:
- Ramped, accessible play areas for ages 2-5 and 5-12
- Splash pad
- Fitness area
- Pavilions
- Benches
The play area will be constructed with accessible poured-in-place surfacing for visitors of all abilities.
To date, the BlueCross Foundation has invested $60.5 million in BlueCross Healthy Place projects across the state. There are 22 projects open statewide with more on the way.
The BlueCross Foundation will accept proposals for 2025 funding throughout the month of August 2024.
For more on the BlueCross Healthy Place program, see BlueCrossHealthyPlaces.com.
About BlueCross®
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is a taxpaying, not-for-profit health plan serving more than 3.4 million members in Tennessee and around the country. The Chattanooga-based company was founded in 1945 and has brought peace of mind to its members and local communities for more than 75 years. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Inc. is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. For more information, visit the company’s news center at bcbstnews.com.
About BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation, Inc.
The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation organized to promote the philanthropic mission of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. It has awarded $120 million in grants since 2005. The foundation provides funding for the BlueCross Healthy Place program, which creates active, healthy spaces across Tennessee.