After a national search, Doug Voss gets the permanent parks job

Atlanta is keeping the person already running its parks department. Mayor Andre Dickens announced Oct. 19 that interim commissioner Doug Voss would take the job permanently after a national search and multi-stage selection process.⁠[1]

The appointment communication is listed on the City Council’s Nov. 2 agenda, for a meeting scheduled at 1 p.m. Staff recommend referring item 26-C-5095 to the Community Development/Human Services Committee and Committee on Council. That is a referral recommendation, not Council confirmation; the mayor’s announcement separately says the appointment was effective immediately.⁠[1][2]

Voss has worked for the city since 2011, serving as a director, deputy commissioner and interim commissioner. The permanent selection keeps him overseeing park operations, recreation opportunities and efforts to expand access to greenspace.⁠[1]

The department’s reach extends beyond park upkeep. In announcing the appointment, the city said Camp Best Friends served more than 4,000 young people and seniors across 17 sites in 2026, with teen participation rising 52 percent over the previous year.⁠[1]