Cherokee County Named Parks Agency of the Year

CANTON, GA -- Cherokee County received several awards this year from the Georgia Recreation & Parks Association in recognition of its parks and recreation initiatives available to local residents.

In October, the Cherokee Recreation & Parks Agency was awarded the Class A Agency of the Year award for the GRPA 5th District. The district includes all county and city recreation departments north and west of Fulton County, and the Class A distinction indicates that Cherokee County is among the largest departments in the district.

The award recognized CRPA for their outstanding work over the past year in all phases of park and recreation operations including athletics, aquatics, programming and parks maintenance as well as capital improvements.

This marks the fifth time CRPA has received this award.

Also at the district level, the Senior Adventure Camp was recognized for Innovative Program. Senior Adventure Camp is a week-long, trip-based camp designed to get the active adult population engaged in outdoor activities that remind them that age is only a number.

Each day was structured as its own adventure with a specific itinerary including departure/return times, meals, items to wear and items to bring.

At the GRPA Annual Conference on Recreation and Parks held this month in Athens, CRPA also received four statewide awards. They include:

• Outstanding Online Media – Agency Website: CRPA rolled out the new website (http://www.crpa.net/) in February. Improvements include a complete new, updated look for the site; simpler navigation with links to programs, parks and more; a full mobile version of the site; and easier access to registration.
• Outstanding Athletic or Aquatic Program – SPLASH: SPLASH is a water safety program specifically designed for individuals with special needs and offered at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center. The program is partially funded by a grant from the Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund. SPLASH started in the spring of 2015 and has grown from one participant in our first session to an average of six participants each session. This program utilizes volunteers from our community as Swim Buddies for our participants and the class is led by an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor.
• Outstanding Special Event – Paws in the Pool: Held on the last day of the outdoor pool season, Paws in the Pool allows pooches, large and small, a chance to enjoy The Oasis. This was our most successful year to date with 173 pups in attendance. This year, CRPA partnered with the Cherokee County Animal Shelter as well to hold their annual duck race during the event to raise funds for the shelter.
• GRPA Volunteer of Year – Amy Turcotte: Amy Turcotte has served in numerous volunteer roles with several organizations that support youth in our county. The list includes the Cherokee County Recreation & Parks Advisory Board where she is the current Vice Chair, the Cherokee Youth Football Association where she previously served as Team Mom, Cheer Director and President, the Malon B. Mimms Boys & Girls Club, the Collins Dixon Bend Your Knees Foundation, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Goshen Valley Boys’ Ranch.

With her public servant’s heart and sincere passion, Amy has reached thousands of children throughout Cherokee County that will have long lasting benefits. She has the special ability to bring people together for the betterment of the whole. In so doing, she has had a tremendous positive impact on our community.

“Amy exemplifies what it means to be a volunteer," said CRPA Director Bryan Reynolds. "She gives unselfishly of her time and talents. Her reward is found in the satisfaction in serving her community.”

For more information about the parks and recreation opportunities throughout Cherokee County, visit www.crpa.net or call (770)-924-7768.

Image via CRPA