The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department was recently honored by the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) with awards recognizing outstanding achievement.  

For the tenth time in 21 years, the Department received the prestigious Georgia Recreation and Park Association’s state “Agency Award” for populations of 80,000 -150,000 and.  The award is based on outstanding programs and accomplishments over the past year.  This recognition is particularly significant because it is voted on by Recreation professionals.

In recognition of his years of services, Dan Long, longtime volunteer beekeeper at Sandy Creek Nature Center ,received the District 7 and State of Georgia Volunteer Award.  With Dan’s help, the Nature Center has promoted the conservation and education of the importance of pollinators and the vital role they play in the environment.  

“Bring the Gnome Home” program was honored as the GRPA Programmers Network “Outstanding Program Award.”  It is a self-directed outdoor “hide and seek” program developed as a response to the increased trail use during the early days of COVID-19. The purpose of the program is to get people moving outdoors on trails and encouraging them to explore areas, they have not experienced before, all in search of the Gnome. Once the Gnome is found, it can be redeemed for a locally sponsored prize donated by a small local business.