After more than a year of planning, design, and construction, the BlueCross Healthy Place at Highland Park is now open! This five-acre park was made possible by a $5-million-dollar investment by the BlueCross BlueShield Foundation of Tennessee. The space is shared by students from Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, Chattanooga Preparatory School, Montessori Elementary at Highland Park, and residents of the Highland Park neighborhood.

Highland Park was selected in response to a Young Women’s Leadership Academy Foundation proposal, and the project is the first BlueCross Healthy Place in the Chattanooga area. 

“We’re so appreciative of this grant from the BlueCross Foundation and this new BlueCross Healthy Place,” said Dr. Elaine Swafford, chief executive officer of CGLA. “The kids are excited, and the space will be great for bringing the community together.”

Brad Scott, chief executive officer of Chattanooga Prep, echoed that sentiment. “This space is going to have a huge impact on our programming and our boys’ lives,” he said.

A National Demonstration Site for Inclusive Play

Every aspect of the BlueCross Healthy Place was designed to accommodate people of all ages and abilities. There are accessible play areas for children ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12. The play systems include ramped access throughout the structures, and ground-level play activities are included throughout the play area.

The park was designed using best practice research for inclusive playground design and is designated as a National Demonstration Site by PlayCore. 

A Healthy Place for Family Activity

In addition to the two playgrounds, the new park includes an outdoor obstacle course for older children (ages 13+) and adults. The Challenge Course is a fun and challenging ninja warrior experience and includes a precision timing system with a scoreboard. We also included an outdoor fitness area for adults with outdoor gym equipment for aerobic, core, balance, and muscle strength training. 

Students and community members alike will also enjoy the tennis courts, basketball courts, and multipurpose athletic field. The field is regulation size for a soccer pitch and includes a .22 mile walking track around the perimeter. When it's time to rest from play, there is a large covered pavilion with picnic tables to socialize, eat, and gather with friends and family.

Committed to Community Health

GameTime is proud to partner with a community champion like BlueCross BlueShield Health Foundation. The Healthy Place at Highland Park is one of many such Healthy Place projects across Tennessee and a model for communities across the country. To learn how you can bring inclusive play and fun physical activity to everyone in your community, contact the GameTime representative in your neighborhood.