The Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors Department is making moves towards its plan to connect the city through green spaces + community. Enter: The first-ever Parks & Outdoors Advisory Committee.

Unanimously approved by the City Council, 15 members were selected from over 180 applicants — nine of which were appointed by the council + six were appointed by Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly directly. Fun fact: One youth member (under the age of 21) resides on the committee.

What is the committee actually committing to? The advisory board will work to enhance resident engagement, inform the public on management (maintenance, planning, etc.), create programming + access to parks and resources, and expand collaborative opportunities.

Notably, this team will also be helping the city's mission to become the first National Park City in the US.

Members

District 1 | Robert Geier
District 2 | Anna Hall
District 3 | Terry Lee
District 4 | Paul Darr
District 5 | Dank Hawkins, Jr.
District 6 | Melissa Lozano Lykes
District 7 | Adam Kinsey
District 8 | Shelby Meek
District 9 | Angie Reed-Thomas
Mayoral appointment | Stephen Culp
Mayoral appointment | Linda Moss Mines
Mayoral appointment | Erika Roberts
Mayoral appointment | Dreama Campbell
Mayoral appointment | Meghan Ploch
Mayoral appointment (youth) | Lillie Barrie

Sometime this spring, the committee will be joined by former NYC Parks Commissioner Mitch Silver for orientation training. Silver will share guidance + examples from other citizen-led park oversight boards to get the group acquainted with their new roles.