From left, Debbie Walker, Valleybrook resident; Greg Taylor, president of Friends of Hixson; Susan Crowell, board member at the North Chickamauga Creek Conservatory; Brian Smith, marketing director for city of Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors; Larry Zehnder, board member of Friends of Hixson; Jeff Davis, City Council District 3; and Gene Huffine, board member of Friends of Hixson
Brian Smith, the communications and marketing director for the city of Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors, provided an update on the city of Chattanooga being designated a National Park City at the Friends of Hixson Coffee meeting.
A "National Park City" is a movement and vision aimed at making cities greener, healthier and wilder. Inspired by the concept of national parks, it seeks to enhance the natural features of urban landscapes and connect people with nature. London became the first National Park City in 2019, followed by Adelaide, Australia, in 2021. Approximately 25 cities worldwide are working to achieve this designation, including Glasgow, Breda, Rotterdam, Southampton and Chattanooga.
The Chattanooga National Park City campaign is a community-driven initiative focused on celebrating, enhancing, and conserving the people, places, civic spirit and cultures that make Chattanooga and the Tennessee River Valley unique and irreplaceable. Its aim is to shape the city around its distinctive values, honoring the best aspects of Chattanooga and its residents. This approach prioritizes individuals and promotes greater volunteerism and civic engagement in community health, beauty, art and enjoyment. Although it is not affiliated with the National Park Service, the movement is committed to preserving the most treasured resources and sites for today's visitors and future generations.
Mr. Smith informed the attendees that, although no official announcement has been made, Chattanooga is set to become the third National Park City and the first in the United States to achieve this status. This would symbolize a monumental achievement and aligns perfectly with Chattanooga’s rich tradition of outdoor tourism, notable sporting events, grassroots adventures, and high quality of life. A National Park City designation would further enhance our city’s image and appeal on multiple levels.
FOH Community Coffee Meetings are always free and open to the public. For information on upcoming meetings, visit friendsofhixson.org.