Challenge for a Healthier Louisiana

Louisiana has one of the nations highest obesity rates. Obesity increases the risk of Type II Diabetes, heart disease, depression and other serious health problems. Experts agree that physical activity and healthy eating are keys to preventing obesity. Lifestyle choices have direct influences in our health, and since our environment, at the community level, can influence theses choices, public recreation can be an important factor towards a more healthy lifestyle.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation provided a $1 million dollar grant to the La Salle Parish for community improvements. A 55 year old swimming pool was transformed into an imaginative splash park, funded in part with Challenge Grant dollars.

The splash park, a custom design by Chuck Schmitz, senior project architect for Aquatic Recreation Company (ARC) and installed by Petron Construction included over 2,200 square feet of fun activities for children (and adults) of all ages. The system is a full recirculation system, which provides safe water at high flow rates while conserving our precious resource-water. According to Chuck Schmitz of ARC “By blending features with unique water effects, Classic Structures and a well executed installation, the project was successfully completed on time and on budget. Because we manufacture the best UL listed integrated re-circulation system in the industry, ARC can guarantee that the system always provide safe fun water that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.” Mr. Schmitz also commented ” The city of Jena was excited to have a water element to replace the existing, outdated pool. Replacing the pool with a splash pad reduced the amount of maintenance that the city personnel were expected to perform DSCN1147 while still providing a way for the residence to cool off in the summer months (very important in Louisiana). Also, the smaller footprint of the splash pad provided more green space in the park.”