Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs

Chris Bass, MPA, CPRE

Chris Bass serves as the Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs for DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs, where he provides executive leadership for one of Georgia’s largest and most diverse park systems. He oversees the strategic planning, operations and maintenance of more than 100 parks and green spaces, multiple recreation and senior centers, aquatic facilities, cultural arts centers, historic sites, athletic complexes and signature destinations including the county’s golf course, tennis centers and premier event venues. His portfolio includes capital improvement planning, athletics, cultural programming, park and facility maintenance, and community engagement, ensuring equitable access, operational excellence and high-quality experiences for more than 760,000 residents across DeKalb County.

With more than a decade of progressive leadership in parks and recreation, Chris has built a reputation for organizational transformation, accreditation readiness, team development and community-centered innovation. He previously served as Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Douglasville, leading the department to national recognition and operational excellence. Chris earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration degrees from Columbus State University. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Georgia Recreation and Park Association, contributing to the advancement of parks and recreation professionals across the state.