Park Pride announced the 2009 winners of its inspiration awards in the categories community, government and corporate – honoring the Cobb Parks Coalition, Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation, and Silverman Construction Program Management, respectively.“The awards not only acknowledge a job well done, they increase the visibility of park issues regionally and inspire others to become more active in building a system of world-class parks throughout metro Atlanta,” said Park Pride Executive Director George Dusenbury.
Peachtree TV’s Jeff Johnson, host of “JJ on Atlanta,” served as master of ceremonies for the awards, which were announced at a luncheon banquet last week, during Park Pride’s 8th Annual Parks and Greenspace Conference at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
“Peachtree TV and Turner Broadcasting are proud to be part of this event. Anything that we can do to educate our audience about the environment and our relationship with it is of paramount importance,” said Johnson. “The Inspiration Awards are exactly that – an inspiration to us all – when it comes to environmental and community stewardship. It is our honor to be associated with this year’s winners.”
The Cobb Parks Coalition was formed in early 2006 to increase the amount of passive parks in Cobb County. With less than 10% of the county’s land undeveloped, time was of the essence. Since that time, the Coalition has waged two successful campaigns supporting $40 million park bond referenda in 2006 and 2008. The Coalition remains actively engaged in an advisory board that ensures the funds acquire property to meet county needs and citizen priorities.
In 1986, Gwinnett County did not have an established countywide park system. That year, the county’s residents voted to increase property taxes dedicated to establishing a County Recreation District. In 1996, voters approved a referendum for a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or SPLOST, that dedicated funding for land acquisition and park improvements, among other infrastructure improvements.
The Cobb Parks Coalition was formed in early 2006 to increase the amount of passive parks in Cobb County. With less than 10% of the county’s land undeveloped, time was of the essence. Since that time, the Coalition has waged two successful campaigns supporting $40 million park bond referenda in 2006 and 2008. The Coalition remains actively engaged in an advisory board that ensures the funds acquire property to meet county needs and citizen priorities.
In 1986, Gwinnett County did not have an established countywide park system. That year, the county’s residents voted to increase property taxes dedicated to establishing a County Recreation District. In 1996, voters approved a referendum for a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or SPLOST, that dedicated funding for land acquisition and park improvements, among other infrastructure improvements.
Voters in the county renewed the one-cent sales tax in 2000, 2004, and again in 2008, providing over half-a-billion dollars to build one of the largest city or county park systems in Georgia. The National Recreation and Parks Association gave Gwinnett County the 2008 Gold Medal Award as the nation’s premier park agency.
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