The Acworth Parks, Recreation and Community Resource Department is a member of the Georgia Recreation and Park Association. Within GRPA, the City of Acworth is a member of District 5 which includes the agencies in Northwest Georgia. Each year, GRPA and District 5 hold award banquets where the top individuals and agencies are recognized for their achievements in the previous year.
We also work closely with Cobb Travel & Tourism, Cobb Sports Alliance, and Cobb Arts VIBE, who are huge supporters of recreation and tourism efforts throughout Cobb County. Each year, they host a mixer showcasing their achievements, as well as celebrating individual accomplishments throughout the county.
Below are the awards our department has been fortunate enough to receive.
2022
- Jordon Gonzalez, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District 5, Outstanding Programmer of the year
- Neely Motiejunas, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, Mike Daniel Award
2021
- Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District 5, Class "A" Agency of the Year
- Training for Life Award, Special Olympics Georgia
- All-American City Hall of Fame Award: Since 1949, the National Civic League has recognized and celebrated the best in American civic innovation with the prestigious All-America City Award. To celebrate the ongoing work of past winners, the National Civic League sponsors a Hall of Fame Award to recognize an outstanding civic engagement initiative in the community since winning the All-America City Award.
2019
- Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) Agency of the Year Award in the 20,001-50,000 population category
- Georgia Main Street Program's Georgia Exceptional Main Street (GEMS) distinction
2018
- Department, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District 5, Class "A" Agency of the Year
2017
- Bailey Arnaud, Georgia Recreation and Park Association, District 5, Administrative Support Staff of the Year
- Kim Watt, Georgia Recreation and Park Association, Mike Daniel Award
- Department, Cobb Sports Alliance, Sports Event of the Year Award for Wakeboard National Championships
2015
- Kim Watt, Georgia Recreation and Park Association, District 5, Distinguished Professional of the Year
- Michelle Berryman, Georgia Recreation and Park Association, District 5, Outstanding Programmer of the Year
- Janet Paulsen, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association State Volunteer of the Year Award
2014
- Kim Watt, Cobb Travel and Tourism, Hospitality Hero of the Year Award
- Lauren Ham, Georgia Recreation and Park Association, Senior Section Distinguished Professional Award
- Lauren Ham, Georgia Recreation and Park Association, Senior Section Outstanding Program Award
- Clem Freeman, Georgia Recreation and Park Association, District 5, Outstanding Facility and Grounds Maintenance Staff Member of the Year
- Department, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District 5, Class "A" Agency of the Year
- Department, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, Innovative Program of the Year Award for the Mother-Son Camp Out
- Department, Cobb County Creating Community Award, District 1 Nominee
2012
- Dana Long, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association State Volunteer of the Year Award
2011
- Lauren Ham, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District 5, Outstanding Programmer of the Year Award
- Aaron Ross, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District 5, Outstanding Facility and Grounds Maintenance Staff Member of the Year
2010
- All America City: The City of Acworth is pleased to announce that the Acworth Community was selected as a 2010 All America City. The National Civic League’s All America City Award Competition was held June 16 through June 18 in Kansas City, Missouri where twenty five cities from across the nation competed for the coveted designation. The distinction of being chosen as an All America City is a prestigious honor for those communities that have demonstrated success in overcoming community challenges. The Acworth Community highlighted three programs where the government, business, non-profit, and faith based organizations came together to achieve a common goal. The three programs were the Expanding Horizons, Acworth Achievers, and the Horizon Field.
- Lisa Barlow, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District 5, Administrative Support Staff of the Year Award
- Department, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Innovative Program of the Year Award for the Acworth Turkey Chase 5K Fun Run and 2K Walk
- Department, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Class "A" Agency of the Year
- Department, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Publication Award for Single Event for the 2009 Acworth Turkey Chase Flyer
- Jim Hourigan, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association State Volunteer of the Year Award
2009
- Jeff Chase, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District 5, Administrative Support Professional of the Year Award
- Lauren Ham, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Therapeutics Section Distinguished Professional of the Year Award
- Peter Jezerinac, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District 5, Outstanding Facility and Grounds Professional
- Aaron Ross, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Facilities and Grounds Section Distinguished Professional of the Year Award
- Department, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Innovative Program of the Year Award for the Horizon Kickball League
- Department, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Agency of the Year
2008
- Frank White, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Minority Section Distinguished Professional of the Year Award
- Department, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Publication of the Year Award for the "Recreation Connection"
2007
- Peter Jezerinac, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Facilities and Grounds Section Distinguished Professional of the Year Award
- Jodi Mills, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District 5, Outstanding Programmer of the Year Award
- Frank White, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District 5, "Al Richardson" Athletic Programmer of the Year Award
- Department, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Innovative Program of the Year Award for the Expanding Horizons Program
2006
- James Albright, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District 5, Distinguished Professional of the Year
- Jodi Mills, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Administrative Support Professional of the Year
- Rebecca Wood, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, District 5, "Al Richardson" Athletic Programmer of the Year Award
2004
- Department, Georgia Recreation and Parks Association District 5 Agency of the Year