Just 50 years ago, in 1969, Chattanooga, Tennessee, was named the most polluted city in the United States. At the time, unregulated industrial emissions had a very poor air quality, so drivers had to use headlights during the day. But the environmental crisis has driven community-driven initiatives that have revitalized downtown and riverside areas and transformed former industrial sites into public spaces such as parks and trails. Now, the community claims to be the first national park city in the United States, a brand new title.
This distinction is granted by the UK-based National Parks City Foundation, a grassroots effort aimed at making cities more greener, inspired by the “long-term and large-scale vision of national parks,” according to the organization’s website. (To be clear, this is not part of the US national park system. This includes national parks, national monuments, national reserves, and more.) The designation is one of the cities that leads to accusations of what the future of urban life will look like.
“Here in Chattanooga, we have used the national park urban movement to encourage Chattanooga to think of it as a park city, not a city with a park,” Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly said in a video announcing the designation. “The outdoors are our competitive advantage. It’s central to our revitalization story, and that’s the heart of our identity. We’ve always known how special our connection to the outdoors in Chattanooga is.
It is currently the third national park city in the world. London was first appointed in 2019 and Australia’s Adelaide was second appointed in 2021. To win the title, Chattanooga had to submit a comprehensive digital portfolio explaining how it met 23 standards, including details of its environmental management efforts and details of sustainable agricultural practices.
According to the National Parks City Foundation, its members traveled to Chattanooga earlier this year to validate the application and approved the bid a month later. The city’s campaign was based on a “legacy of change” from one of the country’s most polluted cities to outdoor destinations.
In a news release after the announcement of the designation, Allison Burns, a council member of the National Parks City Foundation, said “by combining its own landscape with the history of people, we will introduce a new chapter in the city with a long history of revitalization and renewal.”
Travel to Chattanooga
Tennessee’s fourth largest city has lots to see and experience. This is the quick guide.
What to do
Visitors eager to experience Chattanooga’s outdoor opportunities can hike the Bluff Trail at Stringer Ridge for a skyline view, or look at the jaws of Sunset Rock, Point Park and Ruby Falls towards the dropper combo. The Tennessee River Walk runs 13 miles from St. Elmo to Chika Maugadam, making it perfect for a lazy walk with a cyclist, runner or a coffee in your hands. Paddleboarders can cruise downtown stretches on the Tennessee River, but the Adrenaline Chaser has the option to head to the Okoye River for white water rafting. And if you just want to relax in the sun, Coolidge Park has carousels, splash pads and things like riverside lawns made for picnics.
Where to eat
After exploring the scenic scenery of Chattanooga, check out the city’s vibrant culinary scene. For a taste of the south, the Public House is a local favorite of buttermilk fried chicken and dishes such as shrimp and grits, while Ernest Chinese serves modern Sichuan cuisine. When it comes to drinks, there’s no hard emotion, a chic spot in downtown known for its creative cocktails like Pistachiomai Tai.
Where to stay
The Edwin Hotel Sign Collection is a new, dog-friendly option downtown with an impressive collection of art. The suites feature marble bathrooms, spacious living area and views of the Tennessee River. There is also a rooftop pool, a spa and a patio bar known as the Whiskey Thief.
