Awards
The winner is, again...ACCGov Leisure Services!
The award winning Leisure Services Department has been honored on the local, state, regional, and national levels with awards recognizing outstanding facilities, programs, publications, staff, and volunteers.
Take a moment and review the year by year breakdown of the many awards the Department has received...as of 2026 the number totals more than 140!
2025
- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - Eta Omega Zeta Chapter: “2025 Community Service Award presented to Lay Park
- Hope Haven: 2025 Community Partner of the Year presented to Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: District 7 Volunteer Award presented to Trail Guides for volunteer service to Sandy Creek Nature Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: State Volunteer Award presented to Trail Guides for volunteer service to Sandy Creek Nature Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: District 7 Agency Award (populations 80,000 - 150,000)
2024
- 34th Annual Emancipation Proclamation Observance and Pioneer Awards : “A Salute to the Arts” Award presented to Lynn Green, Morton Theatre
- 34th Annual Emancipation Proclamation Observance and Pioneer Awards : “A Salute to the Arts” Award presented to the Morton Theatre
- American Council of Engineering Companies Engineering Awards: "National Recognition Award" presented to Firefly Bridge over Trail Creek
- American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia Engineering Awards: "Category 3 Structural Systems 1st Place State Award presented to Firefly Bridge over Trail Creek
- Georgia Association of Museums: 2024 Institution Award presented to Lyndon House Arts Center
- Georgia Association of Museums: 2024 Special Project-Category #2 $1,001-$25,000 Award for "Resilient Civic and Musical Life: Ware-Lyndon House Enslaved and Descendant Stories" presented to Lyndon House Arts Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: District 7 Volunteer Award (populations 80,001 and higher) presented to youth soccer coach Madeline Krisko.
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: State Volunteer Award presented to youth soccer coach Madeline Krisko.
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Athletics/Aquatics Network Outstanding Program Award for "Classic City Kids Mountain Bike Club.
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Programming Network Outstanding Special Event Award for "The Flight of the Fireflies Lantern Parade."
- Historic Athens 2024 Innovative Solutions in Rehabilitation Preservation Award presented to Firefly Bridge over Trail Creek
2023
- Dance USA, Champion Award presented to Nena Gilreath, East Athens Educational Dance Center Program and Facility Supervisor
- Historic Athens: Publications and Programs Preservation Award for "Resilient Civic and Musical Life: Ware-Lyndon House Enslaved and Descendant Stories" presented to Lyndon House Arts Center
- Georgia Partnership for Transportation Quality 2023 Preconstruction Award "Context Sensitive Planning and Design Including Public Participation Plan Award" for Firefly Bridge over Trail Creek
- Georgia Partnership for Transportation Quality 2023 Preconstruction Award "Grand Prize Award" for Firefly Bridge over Trail Creek
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: State Agency of the Year Award (populations: 80,001 - 150,000)
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Programmers Network Outstanding Program Award for "Bring the Gnome Home"
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: State Volunteer Award presented to Dan Long for volunteer service to Sandy Creek Nature Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: District 7 Volunteer Award presented to Dan Long for volunteer service to Sandy Creek Nature Center
- Governor's Awards for the Arts and Humanities Award presented to Nena Gilreath East Athens Educational Dance Center Program and Facility Supervisor
2022
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: State Volunteer Award presented to Trail Ambassadors
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Marketing and Publication Award for Multi Event Publication for "The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department FY21 Annual Report"
2021
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: State Agency of the Year Award (populations 80,001 - 150,000)
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: State Athletics/ Aquatics Network Distinguished Professional presented to Emily Mann
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: State Volunteer of the Year Award presented to Trail Team Six
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Maintenance Network Volunteer of the Year presented to Trail Team Six
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Ray Hammond Leadership Award presented to Kent Kilpatrick, Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Director
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: District 7 Volunteer of the Year Award presented to Trail Team Six
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: District 7 Facilities and Ground Professional Award presented to Jim Ferguson, Maintenance Supervisor
- Georgia Association of Museums’ Exhibitions between $1,000 and $25,000 Award for “Paste: Works of Paper,” which was developed by the Georgia Museum of Art and the Lyndon House Arts Center.
- Governor's Awards for the Arts and Humanities Award presented to Didi Dunphy, Lyndon House Arts Center Program and Facility Supervisor
2020
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association:State Volunteer of the Year Award presented to the University of Georgia's Whatever it Takes for volunteer service to the afterschool programs at East Athens Community Center and Rocksprings Park
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: District 7 Volunteer of the Year Award presented to the University of Georgia's Whatever it Takes for volunteer service to the afterschool programs at East Athens Community Center and Rocksprings Park
2019
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Agency Award (populations 80,000 - 150,000)
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Marketing and Publication Award for Marketing Campaign
2018
- The American Council Engineering Companies of Georgia (ACEC Georgia): Engineering Excellence Honor Award recognizing the ACC Rails to Trails program.
- Georgia Municipal Association: 2018 Live, Work, Play Award recognizing Athens-Clarke County
- Georgia Project WET (Water Education for Teachers): Georgia Project Wet Facilitator of the Year awarded to Kate Mowbray, Program Specialist at Sandy Creek Nature Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association District 7 Volunteer Award presented to Morton Theatre volunteer Bennie Roberson.
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Distinguished Administrative Support Staff Award presented to Stacie Norris.
2017
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: District 7 Agency of the Year Award
- Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau:Louis Griffith Hospitality Leadership Award awarded to Didi Dunphy, Lyndon House Arts Center Program Supervisor.
2016
- National Association for Interpretation:Outstanding Interpreter for Region 3 (southeastern United States and Puerto Rico) awarded to Michelle Cash, Sandy Creek Nature Center naturalist.
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: District 7 Volunteer Award awarded to Dr. Maurice Snook, Sandy Creek Nature Center and Sandy Creek Park volunteer.
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association:Volunteer Award - Program Network awarded to Dr. Maurice Snook, Sandy Creek Nature Center and Sandy Creek Park volunteer.
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: District 7 Facilities and Grounds Professional Award and the GRPA State Parks Maintenance/Operations Network Distinguished Professional Award awarded to Keith Kirkland, Leisure Services Department Maintenance Supervisor.
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association:Roy Hammond Leadership Award presented to Marci Summer, Rocksprings Park Facility Supervisor.
2015
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: District 7 Volunteer Award presented to Green Acres Baptist Church
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Publication Award - Marketing and Visibility Section - Single Event awarded to "40th Juried Exhibition Catalog."
- Georgia Adopt A Stream: 2015 Watershed Award for a Governmental Organization to recognize decades of community support for the program awarded to Sandy Creek Nature Center.
2014
- Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation Publication Award presented to the Lyndon House Arts Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association, District 7 Agency Award (population 50,001 and larger)
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association, Arts and Humanities Award awarded to Roy G. Biv 8.2 Exhibit at Lyndon House Arts Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Innovative Camp Award - Programmers Section awarded to Super Heroes Summer Day Camp at Rocksprings Park
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Publication Award - Marketing and Visibility Section-Multi Event awarded to "July is National Park and Recreation Month" Brochure
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Publication Award - Marketing and Visibility Section-Single Event awarded to "Summer Day Camp Parent Handbook.
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: District 7 Volunteer Award awarded to Southern off Road Bicycle Association (SORBA)
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Volunteer Award - Outdoor Section awarded to the Southern off Ride Bicycle Association (SORBA).
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Volunteer Award - Programmer Section awarded to Sherrie Hines, Bear Hollow Zoo volunteer
- United States Tennis Association: USTA Facility Award awarded to the Athens-Clarke County Tennis Center.
2013
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association, Agency Award (population 50,001 and larger)
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association, Innovative Therapeutic Program Award presented to Monologues and More for the Cognitively Disabled at Athens Creative Theatre
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Innovative Summer Camp Award presented to Teen Top Chef Camp at Lyndon House Arts Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Publication Award - Marketing and Visibility Section awarded to Sandy Creek Nature Center Expansion Invitation
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Innovative Special Event Award presented to India Festival at the Lyndon House Arts Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: District 7 Volunteer Award awarded to University of Georgia Honors Program
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Volunteer Award awarded to the University of Georgia Honors Program
- National Association for Interpretation: Second Place Award for the Discover the Connection exhibits at Sandy Creek Nature Center
2012
- Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation Preservation Award presented to the Morton Theatre
- Downtown Athens Development Authority Golden Nail Award presented to the Morton Theatre
- Georgia Municipal Associationand Georgia Trend magazine, Trendsetter Award awarded to the Teens in Action summer program
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association, Agency Award
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association,Arts and Humanities Award awarded to Community at Lyndon House Arts Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association:Innovative Program Award - Therapeutic Section awarded to Celebrating the Artwork of Lois Curtis with the Georgia People with Disabilities Juried Art Exhibition at Lyndon House Arts Center,
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Publication Award - Marketing and Visibility Section awarded to The Mystique of the Automobile Catalog at Lyndon House Arts Center.
2011
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association:Volunteer Award - Outdoor Section Section awarded to Aaron Hightower, Greenway and Sandy Creek Nature Center volunteer
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Administrative Support Staff Award - Administrators Section awarded to Evelyn Lee
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association, District 7 Volunteer Award awarded to Aaron Hightower, Greenway and Sandy Creek Nature Center volunteer
- National Association for Interpretation:Outstanding Interpreter for Region 3 (southeastern United States and Puerto Rico) awarded to Kate Mowbray, Sandy Creek Nature Center naturalist
2010
- Georgia Assembly of Community Arts Agencies:Kaleidoscope Award for Arts Unleashed, awarded to Leisure Services Arts Division
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association:Innovative Program Award – Aquatics Section awarded to Splashdown 2010
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association:Innovative Camp Award - Programmers Section awarded to Harry Potter Summer Day Camp at Rocksprings Community Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Innovative Program Award – Senior Adult Section awarded to Readers Theatre at Athens Creative Theatre
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association: Volunteer Award - Outdoor Section awarded to Will Chamberlin, Sandy Creek Nature Center volunteer
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association:Volunteer Award - Facilities and Grounds Section to the Weed Warriors at Memorial Park
2009
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Agency of the Year Award (populations 80,001 and larger)
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Dorothy Mullen Arts and Humanities Award - Arts Unleashed
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Innovative Program - Minority Section awarded to the Inauguration Party at Rocksprings Park
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Innovative Camp - Programmers Section awarded to the It's My Planet: The Rainforest Art Camp at Lyndon House Arts Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Innovative Special Event - Programmers Section awarded to the Athens Scottish Heritage Festival at Lyndon House Arts Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Distinguished Professional Award presented to Cathy Padgett, Leisure Services Public Information Coordinator
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Outdoor/Park Section and State Volunteer of the Year - Melissa Bowden, Bear Hollow Wildlife Zoo Volunteer
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association District 7 Volunteer of the Year - Melissa Bowden, Bear Hollow Wildlife Zoo Volunteer
2008
- Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries Best Special Project with budget under $100,000 - Xalapa outreach to Latino community and artists exchange awarded to Lyndon House Arts Center
- Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries Best Exhibition with Budget under $100,000 Dancing Fibers Peacock Alley awarded to Lyndon House Arts Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Agency of the Year Award (populations 80,001 and larger)
- National Recreation and Park Association Dorothy Mullen Arts and Humanities Award for outstanding arts programming awarded to Lyndon House Arts Center
- Public Library Association (partner of the American Library Association) Highsmith Innovation Award - Bridging the Gap awarded to Lyndon Arts Center
2007
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Agency of the Year (populations 80,001 and larger)
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Dorothy Mullen Arts and Humanities Award - Institute of Museum and Library Services Mexican Art Exchange awarded to Lyndon House Arts Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Volunteer of the Year / State awarded to Whit Davis Elementary School for service to Southeast Clarke Park
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Publication Award - Passport to Fun Booklet
2006
- Georgia Assembly of Community Arts Agencies Kaleidoscope Award for Georgia Folks Project, awarded to Lyndon House Arts Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Agency of the Year Award (populations 80,001 and larger)
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association District 7 Agency of the Year
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Dorothy Mullen Arts and Humanities Award - Travel through Time Art Camp awarded to Lyndon House Arts Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Innovative Program - Programmers Section, Mardi Gras Celebration awarded to Lay Park
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Innovative Program - Aquatics Section, Report Card Rewards Program
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Innovative Program - Athletics, Tony Hawk Secret Skate Park Tour Event awarded to Southeast Clarke Park
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Innovative Program - Minority Section, Korean Night awarded to Lyndon House Arts Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Innovative Program - Senior Adult Section -Harvest Festival awarded to Lyndon House Arts Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Innovative Program - Therapeutic Recreation -Social Butterflies
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Volunteer Award / State presented to the Disc Golf Club of Athens
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association District 7 Volunteer of the Year - Naturalist Assistant Program awarded to Sandy Creek Nature Center
- National Health Institute and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Award of Excellence - the Ways to Enhance Children's Activity and Nutrition (WE CAN) Program
2005
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Agency of the Year Award (populations 80,001 and larger)
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Innovative Program - Programmers Section awarded to the Teens in Action
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Volunteer Award / District presented to the Skate Park of Athens Steering Committee
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Volunteer Award / District presented to Tim Flinn, Lyndon House Arts Center volunteer
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Innovative Program - Therapeutic Recreation Section awarded to Project REACH
- Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Excellence in Rehabilitation Award awarded to the Memorial Park Operations Center
2004
- Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation Outstanding Rehabilitation Award awarded to the Memorial Park Operations Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Outdoor and Parks Section Distinguished Professional Award presented to Randy Smith, Sandy Creek Nature Center Facility Supervisor
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Volunteer Award / District presented to the World of Wonder Playground Steering Committee
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Volunteer Award / State presented to the World of Wonder Playground Steering Committee
2003
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Volunteer Award / State presented to the PRIDE Board of the East Athens Educational Dance Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Volunteer Award / District presented to the PRIDE Board of the East Athens Educational Dance Center
- National Wildlife Federation Certificate of Achievement awarded to Sandy Creek Nature Center
- United States Tennis Association/ Southern Section Most Outstanding Tennis League Facility awarded to Bishop Park
2002
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Agency of the Year Award (populations 80,001 and larger)
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Volunteer of the Year - Cultural Affairs presented to Ron Evans, volunteer at Lyndon House Arts Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Volunteer of the Year Award / District 7 presented to Ron Evans, volunteer at Lyndon House Arts Center
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Volunteer of the Year Award - Outdoor Section awarded to Naturalist Assistant Program (NAP) at Sandy Creek Nature Center
- I Love to Run and See Georgia Award awarded to the Jack-O-Lantern Four Mile Run
2001
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Distinguished Professional Award presented to Mike Wharton, Natural Resources Administrator
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Volunteer Award / State - Cultural Affairs presented to Kay Glenn, volunteer with Athens Creative Theatre
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Volunteer Award / State presented to Sandy Creek Nature Center, Inc. Board
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association Volunteer Award / District presented to Kay Glenn, volunteer with Athens Creative Theatre
2000
- Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation Outstanding Restoration Award awarded to Lyndon House Arts Center