About Us
Our role is to connect you with Chattanooga’s outdoor scene! There’s so much to see and do in the Scenic City, that it can be a little overwhelming finding the right information on how to get outside and play. We’re here to help. Search this site by activity or location to find detailed information about the places to run, climb, paddle, hike, bike, and more, all within an hours drive of Chattanooga.
You’ll find plenty of outdoor activities that you can do on your own or with local outfitters and guide services. Or, check out Our Programs and calendar of events for the special programs and events we offer throughout the year that are designed to introduce the public to a variety of outdoor activities and improve outdoor skills. You can also visit us at our LEED Gold certified facility in Coolidge Park, which contains two classrooms, a large central lobby with a traverse climbing wall and office space for our staff. Here you can pick up brochures and pick our brains about all the amazing outdoor spaces, places and activities that Chattanooga has to offer. The Bike Chattanooga station that sits in front of our building offers a car-free alternative and ‘wheelie’ fun way to see the City.
Meet Us
Gail Loveland Barille – Director
Gail Loveland Barille joined Outdoor Chattanooga in 2022, inspired by the opportunity to provide more entry points for people of all backgrounds and abilities into outdoor spaces. She brings with her over 25 years of experience working within organizations specifically focused on outdoor recreation, inclusion, and youth development and a portfolio of nationally recognized adaptive recreation programs, events, and facilities. Gail moved to Chattanooga in 2019 to join Southeast Conservation Corps and work in collaborations with the National Park Service, US Forest Service, and a variety of non-profits and conservation teams. Passionate about how she could help build our next generation of land stewards, she spent 3 years connecting local youth and young professionals to career paths in outdoor recreation and public land management. Gail has lived throughout the US and brings with her the knowledge of best practices, and missteps, from other recreation cities and communities throughout the Pacific NW, Rocky Mountains, and the Northeast. You can find her and her family daily on a trail, waterway, or greenway; adventuring with a variety of backpacks, helmets, camping, and paddle gear. A proponent of enjoying rest as much as activity, Gail also spends time listening to Chattanooga’s local music, checking out the variety of food, and exploring the diversity of our region’s plants, insects, birds, and animals.
Terri Chapin – Recreation Program Coordinator
Terri Chapin joined Outdoor Chattanooga in 2010 as Outdoor Programs Coordinator. She holds over 25 years of experience in teaching youth and adults a broad range of outdoor skills and has dedicated her career to adventure-based education. Managing and developing outdoor educational programs, experiences and building outdoor community is her focus and passion. Terri built her love of the outdoors in the mountains and on the rivers in 27 states and 2 countries, specializing in whitewater kayaking where she literally cut her teeth leading whitewater river trips. Inspired by the power of experiential education she earned a Master’s in Recreation Management and an undergraduate degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Ohio University. When not in the office, Terri can be found biking, kayaking or exploring the next adventure.
Erik Hancock – Customer Relations Specialist
Erik grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee where his family introduced him to outdoor recreation in the mountains of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. At age 8, Erik began whitewater paddling with his father, which sparked a lifelong pursuit and passion for the outdoors. Erik attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Linguistics. In 2018, Erik and his wife moved to Chattanooga to enjoy the wonderful outdoor recreation that the region has to offer. When he is not promoting the remarkable outdoor activities in the Chattanooga area, he continues to explore all over the world in pursuit of adventure, flow, and recreational enlightenment.
Kirsten Maynard – Recreation Program Specialist
Kirsten is a Chattanooga native, who grew up enjoying the outdoors through play and exploration. After suffering a brain injury, in college Kirsten pivoted back to her roots and found healing and a career passion in facilitating outdoor experiences for others. After graduating from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a bachelors in Sports, Outdoor Recreation, and Tourism Management, she made her way west to explore Colorado. During this time, Kirsten gained experience in program coordination, logistics, and informal education, with special focuses in ecology, teambuilding, and all things rope. Through these experiences, she discovered her devotion for creating sustainable and connected communities through outdoor programming. When not outside, you can find Kirsten tending to her plants and animals, or spending time with her nephews.
Recreation Specialist
This position is currently vacant. Follow us on social media for updates on when the position will be open to applicants!
In Memory of Philip Grymes
Director of Outdoor Chattanooga
The legacy left by Philip can be seen throughout Chattanooga, in the faces of the residents and visitors who come to enjoy the built and natural resources for pursuit in outdoor adventure. Philip Grymes joined Outdoor Chattanooga as the Executive director in 2006, and excelled in the task of promoting Chattanooga and the surrounding area as an outdoor recreation destination. During his 15 years with Outdoor Chattanooga, he was notably instrumental in much of the behind the scenes work to bring several large scale events to Chattanooga, such as Head of the Hooch and Ironman. He also found support for the development of grassroots events such as Swim the Suck and Chattajack, to name only a few. Philip’s adventurous spirit will live on with Outdoor Chattanooga with the mission to continue to inspire, educate and break the barriers of participation in outdoor recreation, for everyone.
Find Us
Contact Us
Email: info@outdoorchattanooga.com
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So much of what we do wouldn’t be possible without the support of our partners.
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