Becoming A National Park City: Chattanooga Continues To Climb Higher 

Modern Chattanooga has been formed by a series of What If questions. 

What if we built an aquarium and renovated our forgotten riverfront? 

What if we cleaned up our air and atmosphere, once considered among the dirtiest in the nation? 

What if we built the fastest Internet, hosted an Ironman and encouraged the return of automotive manufacturing?  

Now, Chattanooga is boldly asking its newest question: 

What if we became the first National Park City in North America?  

The National Park City movement is an international distinction awarded to select cities demonstrating a true commitment to nature, culture, parks and community.  

“National Park Cities are a way to rethink cities, their futures and how we inhabit them,” the National Park City Foundation states. 

In 2019, London was named the first National Park City, followed by Adelaide, Australia, in 2021, with hopes of naming 25 more cities by 2025. 

Like Breda, Netherlands. And Glasgow, Scotland.  

And Chattanooga, Tennessee.  

“The Chattanooga National Park City campaign is a community-driven effort to celebrate, elevate and conserve the people, places, civic spirit and cultures that make Chattanooga and the Tennessee River Valley so unique and irreplaceable,” the campaign states. “The idea is to build our city around our unique values, and in doing so, celebrate the best of Chattanooga and those that call it home.” 

Earlier this year, the Chattanooga Parks Department began the process of applying to become North America’s first National Park City. The department hosted public meetings, forming community groups and began writing a National Park City charter.  

“This is an intentionally human-first approach to community conservation that creates more volunteerism and civic engagement around community health, beauty, art and fun. While not affiliated with the National Park Service, the movement shares the idea that we protect our most precious resources and places not only today but for generations to come,” Chattanooga’s campaign states.  

The designation would recognize and uplift the thousands of nonprofits, organizations, neighborhoods and individuals constantly and compassionately – from WaterWays, Belvoir Bluebird Trail and Thrive Regional Partnership to National Park Partners, H20 and White Oak Bike Co-op – while further solidifying our identity as a place where nature and urban life are married together.   

A city in a park.  

A park in a city.  

“Our city is a park,” said Brian Smith, marketing director for the Chattanooga Parks Dept.  

“What if people no longer had to go to nature, but instead they were able to live in nature?” Smith recently told a gathered group at green/spaces, according to the Times Free Press. “What if cities don’t just have parks, but they were a city and a park?” 

Earlier this year, City Hall increased the Parks Dept.’s operating budget to $18 million while releasing a new Parks and Outdoors Plan – “great cities are defined by great parks” – with a long-term vision for park access and improvement.  

Becoming a National Park City aligns perfectly with Chattanooga’s long-established culture of outdoor tourism, noteworthy sporting events, grassroots outdoor adventure and attractive quality of life. As the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce continues to promote and support its Chattanooga Climbs Higher vision, a National Park City designation would further strengthen our city’s image and appeal on multiple levels. 

Several months ago, officials began holding public discussion, input and community grassroots. The work was to collect and collate all the small, large, homegrown, official and underground movements in this region.  The group is collecting some 5,000 signatures to the charter document, which, after incorporating input from citizens, prioritizes seven core commitments. 

• Unrivaled Access to Nature 

• A Culture of Outdoor Activity 

• Environmental Stewardship and Education 

• Inclusive and Sustainable Development 

• Community and Cultural Enrichment 

• Food and Agriculture 

• Arts and Creativity 

The National Park City documents will be submitted this fall, with an on-site tour from a visiting delegation, which will make its announcement in the following months.  

“A National Park City is a shared vision and journey for a better life,” Chattanooga’s campaign states. “Everyone in a National Park City is able to benefit and contribute every day. It is a large-scale and long-term vision that is achievable through many actions.” 

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To join the movement and sign the charter, visit chattanooganationalparkcity.org