PARA Named Agency Of The Year By Statewide Parks & Rec Group

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority (PARA) was recently recognized with two prestigious awards from the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association during its 2021 annual state conference in Orange Beach.

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The awards were presented on Jan. 25, which saw PARA voted Agency of the Year by its peers, along with Faucett Center Manager and Aquatics Director Mark Harrison receiving Professional of the Year in parks. PARA says agencies are eligible to receive the Agency of the Year award once in a five-year period and PARA was recognized with it previously in 2015.

"The Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority provides excellence in service to their community through staff, facilities, programs and the desire to make a difference," said Natalie Norman, executive director of Alabama Recreation and Parks Association. "They have an outstanding team and a supportive visionary leader in Gary Minor. Well done and well deserved.”

Minor, PARA's executive director, said the honors underscore his team’s passion and dedication to their jobs and community.

“Adaptability and adjustment have been key aspects of PARA’s success in this past year of unprecedented transformation in service delivery," he said. "Our staff have worked extremely hard to adjust and support health and safety regulations while innovating to continue to provide top-quality park and recreation programs and services."

Harrison received the organization's top professional award, which is presented to the candidate who has shown outstanding leadership and innovation in the areas of park planning, operations or maintenance. He was unable to attend the event, according to PARA spokeswoman Becky Booker.

Minor was also recognized for his leadership and service to the statewide agency as 2020 president of the ARPA.

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