Kingsport cuts ribbon on Healthy Place at Riverwalk Park
The City of Kingsport and the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation held a ribbon cutting ceremony earlier this week to celebrate the grand opening of the BlueCross Healthy Place at Riverwalk Park.
The new 5.6 acre park is located along the Holston River at 875 W. Industry Drive (near the intersection of Netherland Inn Road). The park provides a unique blend of natural beauty and recreational opportunities, as well as cultural and ecological features.
Features of the park include:
- Accessible play areas for ages 2-5 and 5-12
- Adult fitness area
- Basketball hoop wall
- Community pavilions (not available for rentals at this time)
- Kayak launch
- New parking lot
- Pickleball courts
- Splash pad (opening Memorial Day weekend)
- Storybook trail & little library
- Walking trails
“The City of Kingsport is proud to partner with the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation for yet another incredible BlueCross Healthy Place within our city,” said Kingsport Mayor Paul W. Montgomery. “I look forward to our residents and visitors enjoying this space not only for the upcoming summer months, but also for the years to come.”
The BlueCross Foundation provided $6.7 million for the redevelopment of the park and an additional $1.3 million for a maintenance fund, bringing the total investment to $8 million. This is the second BlueCross Healthy Place established in the City of Kingsport, following the BlueCross Healthy Place at the Kingsport Miracle League Complex, which opened in 2020.
“We know our neighbors in Kingsport have been looking forward to opening the BlueCross Healthy Place at Riverwalk Park, and we have, too,” added Dalya Qualls White, executive director of the BlueCross Foundation. “These spaces are all about bringing neighbors together, and Riverwalk Park has provided us with a unique opportunity to enhance offerings for residents from all walks of life. We can’t wait for community members to begin enjoying the space.”
To date, the BlueCross Foundation has invested $70 million in BlueCross Healthy Place projects across the state. There are 28 projects open or in progress statewide with more on the way.
For more information on the BlueCross Healthy Place program, please visit www.bluecrosshealthyplacestn.com.
