Chattanooga, Tennessee, has achieved a great honor—it has been officially designated as the first National Park City in North America. This designation, certified by the National Park City Foundation, puts the city on a world map of urban nature innovation, alongside London in this special recognition.
A City Embracing Nature at Its Core
Mayor Tim Kelly made the announcement with pride, sharing a special video message with residents. “Here in Chattanooga, we’ve used the National Park City movement to encourage folks to think about Chattanooga as a city in a park, rather than a city with some parks in it,” said the mayor. “The outdoors is our competitive advantage.”
This is not merely a Chattanooga slogan—it’s a way of life ingrained in the city and its model of development. Nature has been incorporated into its identity, and this new name now makes that commitment official on a global level.
The Road to Recognition
It was in late 2023 when the path to Chattanooga becoming a National Park City in North America began. It was a genuine community movement.
Over 5,600 supporters signed a petition in support of the endeavor. A charter of special renown was written. It had seven pillars which highlights fundamental commitments to people, place, and nature.
Proving the City’s Potential
In November 2024, Chattanooga presented its official “Journey Book” to the National Park City Foundation. The book outlined years of initiatives that led to greater access to nature, enhanced green spaces, and the creation of livable neighborhoods.
In March of 2025, a review team from the foundation came to the city. They toured Chattanooga’s parks, trails, wildlife reserves, and cityscapes to see for themselves how the city had changed. Their observations verified what people in the city had long suspected—Chattanooga was poised to become the first National Park City in North America.
What the Title Means for the City
To become a National Park City in North America is not merely about prestige—it’s about doing. Chattanooga now has the mandate to lead the movement for greener cities on the continent.
This entails opening up public access to outdoor areas, investing in green infrastructure, enhancing environmental education, and maintaining the region’s high biodiversity. It also entails ongoing support for activities that combine cultural diversity with outdoor living—through art, local history, and community events.
Celebrating the Milestone
The city will be hosting a big public celebration in recognition of the achievement on Saturday, April 19th, between 12 PM and 7 PM at Chattanooga Green, situated adjacent to Ross’s Landing. The event will coincide with Earth Week and include more than 50 events and activities in the city.
Highlights of the event are live performances by local artists and a keynote address by Dr. Daniel Raven Ellison, founder of the international National Park City movement. His efforts have encouraged cities globally to put people’s relationship with nature first.
The Future of Urban Nature Starts Here
With this new name, Chattanooga will be poised to draw eco-tourism, environmental innovation, and green business. Its model will be an example for other North American cities that want to put sustainability and wellness through nature first.
Having emerged as the world’s first National Park City in North America, Chattanooga has successfully shown that a city does not have to choose between development and nature—it can grow with both. The title is not a milestone, but a beginning to a new green urban chapter.
Chattanooga has rewritten the rules of being a modern American city—by opting for nature, community, and sustainability every step of the way.
