BlueCross Healthy Place at Riverwalk Park officially opens

KINGSPORT — After two years since the initial announcement, the BlueCross Healthy Place at Riverwalk Park is now open. Kingsport officials, BlueCross representatives and community members gathered Monday afternoon at the park's ribbon cutting. The park features a large playground, splash pad, basketball goals, pavilion, pickleball courts and access to the Holston River. The park is at the current location of the Industry Drive Trailhead for the Greenbelt. Miles Burdine, Kingsport Chamber president and CEO, recognized all who had contributed to making the project possible — including the now-retired Kitty Frazier. "If it weren't for Kitty Frazier when she was working for the city of Kingsport, this project would not have happened," Burdine said. "She was bound and determined to make this happen; she wrote the grant several times before we finally got accepted by BlueCross." The BlueCross Foundation provided a starting $7.8 million total investment for the park, pouring $6.5 million into the project being built and an additional $1.3 million for a maintenance fund. At last week's Kingsport Board of Mayor and Alderman meeting, the board approved BCHP's $17,900 maintenance fund request to install a chain-link fence around the park. This is the second BlueCross Healthy Place in the city, followed by the BlueCross Healthy Place at the Kingsport Miracle League Complex, which opened in 2020. Chassy Smiley, recreation superintendent for Kingsport Parks & Recreation, echoed a similar sentiment, thanking BlueCross BlueShield for their partnership and investment into the community. "Today, we proudly celebrate the grand opening of this BlueCross Healthy Place at Riverwalk Park here in Kingsport," she said. "This space represents more than just a park. It's an investment in health, connection and community well being. From children discovering the joy of play, to family spending time together, to seniors staying active, this park was definitely designed [with] everyone in mind." BlueCross BlueShield Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Dalya Qualls White shared the new park is one of 28 Healthy Place projects across the state. "The play space honors the history of the Holston River, the pickleball courts that came directly from residents," White said. "And for the first time at any of our Blue Cross Healthy Places, there's a kayak launch opening up real access to the river." Kingsport Mayor Paul Montgomery mentioned BlueCross BlueShield's ongoing commitment to keep the park running in the future for all to enjoy. "It's already been mentioned that this project covers about 8.8 acres of land here in our area, and $8 million by BlueCross BlueShield should not be not go unnoticed," he said. "That's $8 million that citizens of Kingsport do not have to spend tax dollars paying for, and with a maintenance fee to go to upkeep, that's phenomenal." Students from Abraham Lincoln Elementary were on hand to be some of the first to experience the playground, and also enjoyed ice cream distributed on site. The splash pad is expected to open on Memorial Day, May 25. Park hours will be from dawn to dusk, with the pickleball courts being open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. City officials shared that the kayak launch is still under construction and expected to be ready later this month. For more information about the park, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.