The City of Chattanooga’s Department of Parks and Outdoors announced the arrival of Gail Loveland Barille as director of the city’s Outdoor Chattanooga division, under the Department of Parks and Outdoors.
Established in 2004, Outdoor Chattanooga’s mission is to make outdoor recreation an attractive, healthy, and distinguishing lifestyle for all of Chattanooga’s residents and visitors.
Outdoor Chattanooga maintains and helps enhance the value of the region’s resources, while leading efforts to help grow the region’s economy.
"Elevation of Chattanooga's outdoor recreational amenities through the creation of Outdoor Chattanooga under the leadership of the late Philip Grymes has been a game changer for our region for the last two decades.” said Scott Martin, Department of Parks and Outdoors administrator. “Finding the right professional to build on Phil's legacy was no small task. Gail's record in scaling up outdoor recreation programming through creative public/private partnerships across the nation will usher in a new era of dynamic growth for the outdoor community across our region, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the team"
Ms. Loveland Barille brings over 25 years of experience working within nonprofits specifically focused on outdoor recreation, inclusion, and youth development. Her career and community engagement extend to staff and volunteer leadership roles within a variety of international, national, and local nonprofits, including the National Ability Center, Boys and Girls Club, American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, the International Paralympic Committee, Outdoors for All, and, most recently, Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC) serving TN, GA, KY, AL, FL, and SC. Over her career, she has led the fundraising and development of innovative recreation program models, events, and facilities through public and private partnerships. As an initial member of the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation advisory committee, she advocated for the accessibility needs of the state's local and visitor populations. As CEO of the National Ability Center, she worked with a talented team of staff, volunteers, and outdoor industry partners to create internationally recognized adaptive recreation programs, events, and facilities for individuals with disabilities and their families.
"Gail is fearless in seeking out expected and unexpected partnerships to build inclusive and conservation themed recreational communities.” said Martha Ham, founder of the first outdoor all inclusive recreation program in Utah. “Over the past decade, I watched her skillfully blend tradition with innovation in building an exciting network of recreational opportunities. She understands and values the role that access to nature plays in establishing and protecting the livability of a community. Gail is uncommonly committed to these principles!"
Since moving to Chattanooga in 2019, Ms. Loveland Barille has spent the majority of her time exploring the expansive natural environment in the surrounding areas of Tennessee and Georgia. Her countless hours working alongside dedicated members and staff, building and maintaining trails, learning from local land management partners, and supporting innovative program models like SECC's Veteran and Women’s+ Fire Crews, will prove to be a valuable asset to the City of Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors Department.
“Over the past three years, I have been impressed with the care and resources Outdoor Chattanooga directs towards removing barriers so that our entire community can access the benefits of the outdoors and recreation,” said Ms. Loveland Barille. “This landscape, with local access to the variety of different lands and waterways, bugs and wildlife, and trails and scenery is a unique asset for our urban community. I look forward to adding my expertise to the work of the City of Chattanooga's Parks and Outdoor Department and its Outdoor Chattanooga Division while continuing to build outdoor recreation as a critical resource for Chattanooga's residents and visitors.”