In early September, local officials gathered to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new Baxter Seminary Park. This new park, a recipient of a $750,000 dollar grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee (BCBST).
“Baxter being awarded this BlueCross grant is a great example of a community establishing a clear vision of what they want their town to look like and executing that plan to perfection,” said UCDD Deputy Director Tommy Lee. 
Upper Cumberland Development District (UCDD) planning staff submitted the application on behalf of the City of Baxter to create a new park to secure project funding. BCBST awarded $750,000 in grant funding to the City of Baxter as a means to support and reinvigorate the community.
Currently, approximately 1,440 people call Baxter home. The city’s population is expected to triple in the next five years.
“With the town’s population slated to grow rapidly in the next five years, a park such as this is sure to help revitalize the downtown area and provide current and new Baxter residents with opportunities for physical activity and a place to gather for events, entertainment, and fellowship,” an excerpt from the original grant application reads.
The new park is ideally located between two elementary schools and is across the street from the senior center and public library and is the first and only of its kind in Baxter.
