Credited to Mike Parks, communications coordinator for Indian Trail.

Chestnut Square Park will look a little brighter come spring.

Indian Trail Parks and Recreation has received a PlayPrints grant, awarded by North Carolina Recreation and Park Association in collaboration with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.

The two organizations have teamed up to build healthier communities by granting colorful outdoor artwork and games to 41 N.C. Parks and Recreation departments.

Union County, Mecklenburg County and Cabarrus County all received PlayPrints grants. Indian Trail is the first town in Union County that will sport the colorful prints.

“I love it because it’s something extra to gets kids excited about playing at the park,” said Jason Tryon, Indian Trail Parks and Recreation director.

Chestnut Square Park’s sidewalks will be illustrated with four out of the 15 possible designs. The chosen prints are colorful and interactive designs such as a sunflower and caterpillar hopscotch and two red-and-blue agility challenges. Two of the markings will be at the playground and the other two will be near the pavilion. The designs will be installed by NCRPA and BCBSNC in March and are expected to remain intact for at least two years.

“These games go back to your childhood days,” said Tryon. “It’s a 21st century version of hopscotch that will get kids active and get mom and dad involved too.”

PlayPrints is part of BCBSNC’s “Get Outside North Carolina! (GO NC!)” program, where the company works to promote and fund physical activity outdoors as well as expand greenways and provide greater access to public                              bicycle programs.

NCRPA is a nonprofit education and advocacy organization that is committed to the continued development of N.C. Parks and Recreation programs through financial partnerships, professional development and statewide wellness initiatives.

“Bringing PlayPrints to parks and community centers across our state provides another opportunity for children to have fun and be more physically active,” said Michelle Wells, NCRPA executive director in a press release.

Tryon said grants like these support their pursuits to inspire creative play and engage the community in outdoor activities.

“We try to do our best to stay on the forefront of grants and opportunities that will improve our facilities. We all want to provide as much as we can and grants help us provide more.”

Chestnut Square Park opened last October as part of the 2012 park bond initiative. The 51-acre park includes walking trails, a playground, tennis courts, sand volleyball, a multi-purpose field and a pavilion. It joins Crossing Paths and Crooked Creek parks as part of Indian Trail’s Parks and Recreation’s developed green spaces.