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The foundation\u2019s goal for these spaces is more than helping people get healthy. It\u2019s about connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an online news story announcing the construction program, Scott Wilson of the foundation said, \u201cBlueCross Healthy Places demonstrate our commitment to give back to the people and communities we serve by providing neighbors with spaces for con- nection and healthy activity. At each Blue- Cross Healthy Place, new relationships will form, strengthening the bonds that form the backbone of our communities. This will be a place for the whole town, not just a playground for children.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The foundation\u2019s commitment is for now and the future. Huntland\u2019s grant ap- plication requested $215,000 to update the park\u2019s equipment. The foundation answered with $936,000, 20% of which is held back by the foundation for future updates, re- pairs, and replacements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the reception announcing the grant award, Wilson said, \u201cWe saw how import- ant history is to this town, that it\u2019s something with you in the present. BlueCross Healthy Places is going to be a part of its history going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wilson went on to reveal renderings of the new park including the basketball court with bleachers. \u201cAhhhhhhhhhh\u201d, the audience responded. Then the playground accessible to all children was revealed. \u201cOhhhhhhh\u201d, sighed the audience, and the reaction was the same to each design that followed. The foundation\u2019s plans were more than anyone had dreamed for the property because the cost was so great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vice Mayor Gardner said, \u201cThis is go- ing to mean so much to our community \u2013 now and in the future. We hope it will help our town grow and prosper.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The construction and installation of the park were quicker than the search for its funding. The announcement of the grant in April 2019 rolled quickly to the park\u2019s grand opening the following September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A large tree towers over the play- ground, offering its shade and watchful eye to giggling children enjoying the free- dom of a place of their own. It\u2019s a place where no child watches from the sidelines, longing to be a part. Slides, swings, and see-saws are both safe and suitable. Signs indicate the age levels for each area or piece of equipment. Special swings for little ones and their parents or caregivers allow both to swing together, one facing the other, enhancing the experience and deepening connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Workout equipment is located next to the playground. What an awesome tool for multi-tasking. Mom can watch her chil- dren play and grab cardio exercise at the same time. Walking trails around the park offer a nice way to wind down from a work- out or a workday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The guardian tree looks over basket- ball games on the new courts and lends its breeze to the players. Friends and family watch comfortably from nearby bleachers, benches, and picnic tables. A pavilion by the court is perfect for reunions and get-to- gethers, creating space for strengthening relationships and making memories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Huntland, a city with a heart for its his- tory and residents, now has a park reflect- ing its commitment to connection.\u00a0-GN<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A\u00a0PICK-UP BASKETBALL game draws a crowd, but you can\u2019t stay long because there\u2019s nowhere to sit. The doctor said you\u2019ve got to lose weight or you\u2019re on a fast track to diabetes. You can\u2019t afford a gym membership or home exercise equipment. You\u2019re in desperate need of adult conversation and fresh air, but what will […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":14462,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14456","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/DSC03886-1024x683.jpg\")