After four years, Atlanta Parks and Recreation Commissioner Justin Cutler is set to exit the role, according to park insiders. He will host a going-away party later this week.
Cutler joined in 2022, in the midst of some major Atlanta park improvements. He brought over 20 years of local government experience from places like Seattle, Westminster, and Oregon, with a focus on "quality green space."
When Cutler came to Atlanta, the national comprehensive ParkScore by the Trust for Public Land ranked the city 27th out of 100 park systems, up from 49th place in 2021. The city has continued to climb under his leadership.
During his tenure, the department oversaw significant investments in parks across Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. New park amenities, trail connections, and facility upgrades have been priorities.
Cutler's departure comes as the city prepares for the FIFA World Cup, which will bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to Atlanta's parks and public spaces. The timing of his exit and whether an interim commissioner will be appointed was not immediately clear.
The mayor's office has not yet announced a successor or timeline for naming a new parks commissioner.