The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department has been bestowed with honors by the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA), an accolade that will reemphasize the value of public recreational spaces in the Peach State. Among the trails and trees of the exemplary Sandy Creek Nature Center, volunteer Trail Guides have shared the natural wonder of Georgia with visiting school children. For this troop of dedicated volunteers, their commitment to fostering a love for the environment in young minds has earned them the GRPA Volunteer Awards for both District 7 and the great state of Georgia.
It wasn't just the volunteer guides getting a nod, however, the entire department snagged the GRPA District 7 "Agency of the Year" award, chosen by their piers – err, peers – for outstanding contributions to recreation in communities with populations over 80,000. According to Athens-Clarke County's announcement, this recognition is a significant one, as it's one of the few instances where praise is dispensed by professionals who truly understand the nuances and challenges of maintaining and improving public recreational facilities.
This year’s awards continue a long tradition of excellence in the department, which has been winning honors for more than 20 years. The trail guides, some of whom enjoy gardening, are a key part of the Sandy Creek Nature Center. For over 50 years, their program has introduced thousands of school children each year to the hidden wonders of nature through guided hikes.
