Parks &Recreation recognized during state banquet 

Forsyth County Parks& Recreation received the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA)Agency of the Year Award during the GRPA awards banquet on Wednesday, Nov. 7.The award was presented to five population groups within the state, withForsyth County falling into the largest population category – 150,000 and over.

“The annual state awardsbanquet celebrates and recognizes exemplary agencies for their work over thelast year,” said Parks & Recreation Marketing and Community RelationsManager Laura Pate.

The agency of the yearaward nomination entry includes information about staff development, budgetingand resources, facilities offered, use of technology and the nominees arejudged on major accomplishments made within the last year as well as new andoutstanding programs offered.

One of the majoraccomplishments included in the nomination was earning national accreditationstatus from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies(CAPRA) in Sep. 2017. The department is one of only 166 agencies nationally tohold the recognition and the second county in Georgia to gain accreditation.

Some of the highlightspresented in the nomination for outstanding programs included developing thenew therapeutic recreation program, offering successful adventure andenvironmental education programs and providing access to fitness amenities atthe recreation centers. Partnerships were also included in the nomination. Thedepartment partners with numerous athletic organizations to offer a variety ofsports for the community as well as the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber ofCommerce to host the Play at the Park Festival.

“I am so proud of theexceptional efforts made by our staff to make this award possible and sincerelyappreciate the continuous support our system receives from the Board ofCommissioners, the Parks & Recreation Board and the citizens,” Parks &Recreation Director Jim Pryor said.

About GRPA: The GeorgiaRecreation and Park Association was formed in 1945 as a private, non-profitinstitution to support and promote the recreation and park industries withinthe state of Georgia.