BlueCross all-inclusive Town playground well under way
It’s Christmas in July for the Town of Farragut, as workers have begun preparing space behind Town Hall for its new all-inclusive playground.
While Town Parks & Recreation director Sue Stuhl said the playground — named the BlueCross Healthy Place at Town Hall Park as it was awarded through a BlueCross BlueShield grant late last year — is anticipated to be completed sometime in late summer, employees from Copponex Group had begun initial site prep following equipment delivery earlier this month.
Many Town officials praised Stuhl’s diligence and grant-writing capabilities that resulted in Farragut receiving one of 10 $750,000 BlueCross BlueShield playground grants awarded statewide. That amount covers not only the equipment, but also installation costs.
“... They have done the design work already, and will be installing it,” she said.
Nearly-completed McFee Park was eyed at one time to be the site of a future all-inclusive playground, but the site plan for the new grant-awarded playground required a “fairly level spot, which was perfect for the land behind Town Hall,” Stuhl said in an earlier interview.
Officials also have discussed the need to eventually construct an adjacent restroom, likely between July 2022 and June 2023 — although once the playground is open, its users would have access to Town Hall restrooms during regular business hours.
“The grant also comes with $100,000, which will be placed in a local 501c(3) fund for us to be able to draw off of in the future, for equipment replacements costs or updates,” Stuhl said.
“That never happens. Never do you see receiving additional funds to help in the future, but they will do that,” she added.
