Mayor Dickens Appoints Doug Voss as Permanent Commissioner of Department of Parks and Recreation
Tuesday, October 20th, 2026
Mayor Andre Dickens announced the permanent appointment of Doug Voss as Commissioner of the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). Voss, who has served in the role on an interim basis, will continue overseeing the Department’s operations and initiatives focused on improving Atlanta’s parks, expanding recreation opportunities and increasing access to greenspaces across the city.
“Doug knows this Department, the people who work here and the communities we serve,” said Mayor Dickens. “Our parks, greenspaces and recreation centers are an important part of our neighborhoods, and one of our Administration’s missions is to ensure every resident has access to safe, quality spaces and programs. Doug understands the importance of making investments that reach communities across Atlanta, and his experience and leadership will help us continue moving that work forward.”
Voss has served the City of Atlanta since 2011, holding several leadership roles, including Director, Deputy Commissioner and Interim Commissioner. Throughout his tenure, he has helped lead efforts to strengthen park operations, expand programming and improve public spaces for Atlanta residents and visitors.
His work includes advancing the City’s Park Ranger program, strengthening the Department’s Natural Resources team and supporting land acquisition efforts to protect and expand Atlanta’s greenspaces. The Department has also continued expanding recreational opportunities for residents of all ages, including youth, teen, and senior programming. In 2026, Camp Best Friends served more than 4,000 young people and seniors across 17 sites, with teen participation increasing 52 percent over the previous year.
Under his leadership, the Department has continued making progress in improving Atlanta’s parks system. In 2026, Atlanta rose from 21st to 18th in the Trust for Public Land’s ParkScore rankings, reflecting continued investments in parks, amenities and access to greenspace.
Voss’ appointment comes after a national search with a multi-stage selection process and is effective immediately.
Learn more about the Department of Parks and Recreation here.
