Knoxville has received an award from the Healthiest State Initiative for its efforts to improve the physical, mental and social well-being of students and adults in the community; and an association of community partners has come up with a way to put the award to good use.

The $5,000 grant presented to the Knoxville Wellness Coalition last week will be used to help develop a small park located on the grounds of the district administration building, which would be used for green space and eating healthy during the spring and summer.

Angie Mitchell is the district’s nurse, and one of the members of the coalition; she tells KNIA/KRLS News it would help encourage people to take advantage of fresh air and exercise  on their lunch hour, or whenever else it may be convenient.

“Right outside the administration building here for a parklet and some green space and a fruit orchard, so that people can come from around the community, grab their bag lunch or food from places around Knoxville, and be outside and enjoy some green space,” Mitchell says.

The coalition initially decided on the administration building grounds for liability reasons; but the decking and other items to be erected on the spot are designed to be portable, and other parklets could be set up in locations around town as the concept becomes better known.

This grant may be paired with another $5,000 grant received from the Knoxville Heritage Community Foundation last year.

The Coalition is thanking the City of Knoxville, Knoxville Hospital and Clinics, the businesses and individuals which have supported them, the Healthiest State Initiative, and Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield.