VALDOSTA – Participants have won many awards participating in Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks & Recreation Authority programs.

Now, the park and rec organization has won a top state award … again.

Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks & Recreation Authority received the highest possible state honor when it was named the Agency of the Year for population 80,001-150,000, according to state officials.

Georgia Recreation and Park Association presented the award.

It marks the fourth time in five years VLPRA received the award.

The Agency of the Year award honors the top parks & recreation department in the state based on facilities, outstanding programs, staff development and accomplishments. 

Valdosta-Lowndes County parks & rec achievements include record-breaking enrollment numbers in youth sports, construction of new tennis courts and its partnership with the Miracle League of Valdosta to build a new Miracle Field Complex that includes a Miracle Field and four standard baseball/softball fields.

VLPRA also won Outstanding Athletics/Aquatics Program for the Summer Basketball Program, state officials said. The program combined the efforts of the Valdosta City Council and public safety officials, programmed by Andre Newson. 

Tammy Crosby, VLPRA therapeutics coordinator, was presented the Mike Daniel Award, an individual honor for excellence in programming.

VLPRA Executive Director George Page said the awards reflect the dedication of authority employees and community support. 

“This is a total team effort,” Page said. “It wouldn’t be possible without our hard-working staff, devoted volunteers and selfless collaboration from all the local school systems as well as our city and county governments.”

VLPRA received the state awards at the recent GRPA state conference banquet at Jekyll Island.