On October 18, 2017 Georgia Recreation and Park Association District Four presented Spalding County Parks, Public Grounds and Leisure Services with special recognition during their District Awards Banquet.

Spalding County Senior Center Supervisor, Lauren Brown, accepted the Class A Program Award for the “Come Grow With Us” raised bed gardening program at the Senior Center. The program was recognized as an innovative and outstanding program which is made possible through collaborative efforts of Two Rivers Regional Commission, Griffin Home Depot, Spalding County Parks, Public Grounds and Leisure Services, Spalding County Extension, Boy Scout Troop 37 and Cub Scout Pack 103.

Spalding County was also presented with the Class A Project Award for the Pickleball Complex at Wyomia Tyus Olympic Park. Spalding County Parks and Public Grounds Maintenance Coordinator, Greg Thaxton and Paragon Consulting Group’s Senior Landscape Architect Jeremy Buffington received the award for this project which was recognized for excellence in park and facility development.

An amazing volunteer, Charmel Gaston, was recognized for her dedicated service to Parks and Recreation Athletics Programs. Ms. Gaston received the Volunteer of the Year Award which recognizes volunteers whose efforts have had a lasting, positive effect on parks, recreation and leisure services. She received this award for dedicating more than 25 years of service to recreation and youth programs. Mrs. Gaston presently volunteers her time with the Spalding Basketball Association and Griffin Gators Swim Team. She is passionate about giving youth opportunities to grow, develop and have healthy experiences. She is all about the kids and is often found volunteering behind the scenes or wherever she is needed.

To top off the evening, Spalding County Parks, Public Grounds and Leisure Services was recognized as Class A Agency of the Year. This esteemed award recognizes agencies that have made a significant contribution Parks and Leisure Services by providing quality facilities, programming and services within their communities.