Chattanooga National Park City becomes the first city in North America to earn this prestigious environmental recognition after transforming from one of America’s most polluted cities.
Chattanooga National Park City has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first city in North America to receive National Park City status. The Tennessee city earned this recognition through a comprehensive peer review process coordinated by the National Park City Foundation, with support from Salzburg Global and World Urban Parks.
This achievement caps off a remarkable transformation story. Chattanooga was once one of the most polluted cities in the United States during the 1970s. Today, it stands as an unrivaled outdoor destination and biodiversity hotspot that attracts visitors from around the world.
The campaign for Chattanooga National Park City built widespread support across the community. Dozens of grassroots and community-led organizations joined the effort. The City of Chattanooga provided official backing. Local businesses contributed resources and expertise. Over 5,000 citizens across the city endorsed the initiative, showing remarkable public support for the environmental vision.
Chattanooga delivered an exciting and exemplary vision for a greener, healthier, wilder, and culturally rich National Park City through its creative and engaging portfolio submission. The application demonstrated how the city plans to connect people with nature while preserving its unique landscape and honouring the history of its people.
Alison Barnes, Trustee of the National Park City Foundation, observed the extraordinary engagement during the peer review process by outstanding experts in design, ecology, culture, and the arts. Barnes explained that National Park City status introduces a new chapter for a city with a long history of revitalization and renewal by connecting its unique landscape and the history of its people.
The Charter for Chattanooga National Park City outlines ambitious plans for the future. The city is dedicated to providing unparalleled access to nature for all its residents. Plans include fostering a culture of outdoor activity that encourages people to explore natural spaces. Environmental stewardship and education programs will teach residents about conservation. Inclusive and sustainable development will guide future growth while protecting natural areas.
Community and cultural enrichment initiatives will celebrate the city’s diverse heritage. Improved support for food and agriculture will strengthen local food systems. Arts and creativity programs will connect culture with nature in innovative ways.
Mark Cridge, Executive Director of the National Park City Foundation, described welcoming Chattanooga as a huge honour for the National Park City movement. He expressed excitement about seeing how the city will use its new status to make Chattanooga a place where people and nature are better connected. Cridge hopes the achievement will inspire more cities to ask what if their cities were designated as National Park Cities.
Recognition of Chattanooga’s National Park City status came after a rigorous peer review process. Organizers from established and nominated National Park Cities participated in the evaluation. Invited experts from World Urban Parks, Salzburg Global, International Union for Conservation of Nature-World Commission on Protected Areas (IUCN-WCPA), and the National Recreation and Parks Association reviewed the detailed plans and evidence submitted by the campaign.
The National Park City Foundation launched the concept when London, England, became the world’s first National Park City in 2019, followed by Adelaide, Australia, in 2021. Dozens of cities across the globe, such as Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Glasgow in Scotland, and Southampton in England, are now actively working to achieve National Park City status in the coming years, creating a movement that spans continents and cultures.
The National Park City movement represents a growing global effort to reimagine cities where people and nature are more closely connected. The goal is to make cities greener, healthier, fairer, and more harmonious, with high-quality public and green spaces, clean air to breathe, and waters safe for swimming.
The National Park City Foundation serves as the accrediting body that formally recognizes National Park City status. They work in conjunction with World Urban Parks and Salzburg Global Seminar to maintain standards and support cities through the application process.
Chattanooga becomes the third city in the world to achieve National Park City status. Breda was also recently recognized as the first in the Netherlands and the fourth in the world. The coveted status represents years of planning, community engagement, and a commitment to the environment.
The success of Chattanooga National Park City demonstrates that urban areas can balance economic growth with environmental protection. Cities don’t have to choose between prosperity and sustainability. Smart and thoughtful planning, combined with community commitment, can create places where both people and nature thrive together.
