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 on March 16, 2009, 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 Jeff. “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. 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.
“I am pleased that Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation serves as an inspiration to other park systems in metropolitan Atlanta,” said Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman Charles Bannister. “I’m especially proud of our citizens and their commitment to quality parks, open space, and recreational opportunities. Our citizens have expressed their support of a strong parks and recreation network by voting for SPLOST time after time.”
Silverman’s staff members have served on several boards focused on the preservation and improvement of parks and has also been supportive of many Parks and Parks related organizations including the Olmsted Linear Park Alliance, Piedmont Park Conservancy, Fulton Parks Foundation , Friends of GA State Parks, BeltLine Trails Task Force, and Mayor Franklin’s Parks Task Force, among others. They have volunteered on several parks and greenspace initiatives, including chairing the two DeKalb County Bond Referendums that raised over $230 million for parks. Silverman provided pro bono project management for the Piedmont Park Active Oval Project and the Lullwater Creek Project. Silverman also has made financial contributions to Park Pride, the Piedmont Park Conservancy, PATH, OLPA, Atlanta Botanical Garden and the Trust for Public Land
Arnie Silverman, President of Silverman Construction Program Management said he was “blown away” when informed about receiving the award . “We have always been excited about our parks and greenspace involvement and sincerely believe in the positive impact the ‘Parks Movement’ is having on the quality of life in our communities.”
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