As pioneers of Chattanooga's National Park City journey, Little Things Lab created a comprehensive guide to help other North American cities navigate their own path toward National Park City designation. This strategic playbook goes beyond traditional consulting approaches, offering practical insights on building cross-sector coalitions, engaging communities at the grassroots level, and transforming fragmented efforts into cohesive movements.
Drawing from our hands-on experience, this guide illustrates how cities can uncover their distinctive urban narratives while avoiding common pitfalls in the designation process. We break down the complex journey into actionable steps—from initial feasibility studies to final submission—while emphasizing that each city's path must be authentic and unique to their community. The guide serves as both a strategic blueprint and a source of encouragement for cities ready to reimagine their future as a National Park City.
