WELCOME

FROM THE Mayor AND CHAMBER President

Photography by Alex Ginsburg Photographics

Dear neighbors,

As your Mayor and Chamber President/CEO, we’re particularly excited to bring you this issue of Germantown Magazine because it focuses on our beautiful parks, vibrant wildlife and abundance of recreational opportunities in your City. Within these pages, you’ll find enlightening stories about our many natural wonders here. You’ll also see evidence of the progress we’re making in three Key Performance Areas in the Germantown Forward 2035 strategic plan: • Natural Resources: In our profile on City Arborist and Natural Resources Manager Wes Hopper, you’ll read about all the work we’re doing to maintain our ecosystem integrity and sustain and protect your

City’s biodiversity. Spend a day in the life of this skilled professional as he monitors the health of Germantown’s trees and keeps our green spaces thriving. • Quality of Life: In Germantown, we deliver arts, culture, recreation and leisure activities for both residents and visitors. Running, biking, paddling or farming in our community garden are just a few of the activities we offer here. Each issue of this magazine highlights the wide range of quality of life amenities available each season in our community. • Wellness: With more than 30 parks spanning over 750 acres in Germantown, a park is only moments away to help provide balanced wellness for our residents. Take a meandering stroll, hike a trail or simply sit in peace and enjoy the beauty of nature all around you. Germantown remains the community of choice for so many reasons! We hope this issue inspires you to get outdoors, explore our parks and enjoy all the beautiful sights and enriching activities that your City has to offer.