Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Whitehaven Park to Get $5M Revamp
Posted By Maya Smith on Tue, Apr 17, 2018 at 11:34 AM
A city park in Whitehaven will get a $5.4 million makeover as a part of a new BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee program providing healthy spaces in neighborhoods.
Under the BlueCross Healthy Place program, David Carnes Park could get amenities like a walking track, playground, and a fitness area, all totalling $4.5 million. The remaining $900,000 would be used for ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the park.
PlayCore, the national play and recreation company, will work with BlueCross to construct the space.
BlueCross announced the project Monday during a community meeting in Whitehaven. It will be the first of many community meetings that are slated to take place during the planning phase of the project. At the meetings, members of the community will be able to give input on the what features they want in the park.
Kevin Woods, BlueCross president of the Memphis market said input from residents is “crucial” to the project.
“The space will be an asset to their community — an area where they can be active and form new connections,” Woods said. “It will truly be a hub of renewed civic activity and a jewel in the Memphis park system.”
The site was selected for the project because of a recent outpouring from citizens, expressing the need for more resources in the park.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said the BlueCross Healthy Place program shares one of the city’s top priorities of providing “healthy, inviting public spaces.”
“That’s why we’re so grateful for this partnership with the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation, and we’re looking forward to enhancing this park for neighbors here in Whitehaven,” Strickland said.
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