Jasmin Rippon with TPL, Councilman Yusuf Hakeem, Ashley Williams with BlueCross-BlueShield Foundation, City Council Chair Moses Freeman, Chelsea Johnson with BlueCross-BlueShield Foundation and Rick Wood, State Director, The Trust for Public Land
Chelsea Johnson with BlueCross-BlueShield Foundation shares the company’s enthusiasm for Fitness Zones
Here’s a photo of a UTC athlete working out with one of the guys from the East Chattanooga Rec center
Thanks to a partnership between The Trust for Public Land and BlueCross-BlueShield and the City of Chattanooga’s Department of Youth and Family Development, encouraging Chattanoogans to get healthy just got a little easier. Fitness Zones provide various pieces of heavy duty exercise equipment that will stand more than just wear and tear as individuals use them to challenge themselves toward healthier lifestyles.
Designed and installed by Chattanooga-based play experts GameTime, three Fitness Zones were installed last year with another three placed throughout the city this year. Each Fitness Zone costs approximately $100,000 and is an investment being made by BlueCross-BlueShield’s Foundation.
According to foundation leaders, “Fitness Zones are a wonderful fit as we seek to fund initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles for Tennessee residents. The grants improve the health, public education or economic development of the communities we serve and we believe the Fitness Zones will make a tremendous difference in Chattanooga.”
Mayor Andy Berke said, "Teaching the community about health and fitness is not just about eating well but a combination of what you eat paired with physical activities. When you are fit your body works better; you feel better and you live a better quality of life. The City of Chattanooga is vested in making sure all of communities are thriving and healthy.”
The Trust for Public Land served as the conduit in making the Fitness Zones available at no charge to taxpayers. “Fitness Zones are making a difference across the country in how people are changing their lifestyles to include healthier choices and more time enjoying special places. The Trust for Public Land is excited to be a part of this effort and to see so many Chattanoogans using the equipment.”
The Department of Youth and Family Development Administrator Lurone Jennings said, “Fitness Zones can be used by people at any stage of life. They not only encourage better health but also bring people together to enjoy places throughout our community. This is vitally important to our department’s mission. Fitness Zones promote healthy activities which in turn, makes our communities become healthier places to live, work and play.”
Trust for Public Land State Director Rick Wood said, “We hope the citizens from across the city will join us at tomorrow’s grand opening at the East Chattanooga Family and Youth Center at 4 p.m. Come on out and enjoy some of the last warm days we have at one of Chattanooga’s newest special places.”