CRPA History & Awards

History

(pre-1970 – 1979)

  • The history of our agency began around 1970 when the Cherokee County Recreation Commission was formed under the guidelines of the Georgia Recreation Enabling legislation.
  • The first director was hired in 1972 and the commission evolved into an arm of county government.
  • Early parks included Kenney Askew Park, Buffington Park and Fields Landing.

(1980 – 1994)

  • July 11, 1989 – Cherokee County voters went to the polls to vote on a $12M bond referendum for recreation and parks projects but the measure was defeated 60%-40%.
  • April 7, 1990 – Hobgood Park opens, becoming the first major park developed in more than ten years.
  • March 1991 – Recreation and parks appears on the SPLOST project list for the first time. The SPLOST passes 68% - 32%.
  • March 1992 – Recreation and parks projects totaling $3M are on the SPLOST ballot and the referendum passes 70% - 30%.
  • Spring 1994 – Hobgood Park Youth Association (now known as Hobgood Baseball, Inc.) was launched.
  • 1994 – The South Annex Recreation Center is opened.

(1995 – 2006)

  • February 1995 – Johnny Barnett bequeaths $200k to Cherokee County for what would eventually become Barnett Park on Bells Ferry Road.
  • 1995 – The Cherokee Recreation & Parks Authority begins operations as a quasi-governmental agency, authorized by the Georgia General Assembly and separate from Cherokee County Government.
  • 1997 to 1999 – Three new parks developed primarily with SPLOST funds and using county forces open; Dwight Terry Park (formerly known as Pine Bluff Park); Barnett Park; and Sequoyah Park.
  • 2000 – Launched the agency’s first web site, www.crpa.net.
  • 2004 – Completed the first 10 Year Comprehensive Recreation & Parks Master Plan since 1984.
  • 2006 – Opened JJ Biello Park.

(2007 – 2019)

  • January 2007 – First volunteer appreciation banquet held; would late be named the Volunteers in Parks (VIP) Banquet.
  • May 2007 – The Cherokee Recreation & Parks Authority is dissolved. Recreation and Parks is reorganized as a department of the Cherokee County Government once again.
  • November 2008 – Cherokee County voters overwhelmingly approve a referendum for $90M in general obligation bonds for recreation and parks projects.
  • December 2010 – Keith Hammond, director for more than 20 years, retires.
  • 2011 – Cherokee Youth Basketball (CYB) inaugural season.
  • Summer 2012 – The Splash Pad @ Cline Park opens.
  • May 2013 – The doors open on the Cherokee County Aquatic Center, the first of its kind in Cherokee County.
  • 2015 – Recognized by National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) with the Excellence in Youth Sports Award
  • April 2017 – Patriots Park opens.
  • August 2017 – Phase 1 of Cherokee Veterans Park opens.
  • 2017 – Implemented Inmate Workforce Program with Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office to augment maintenance in county parks.
  • November 2018 – Opened Monument at Cherokee Veterans Park.
  • May 2019 – Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved the 2019-2028 Cherokee County Recreation, Parks, Green Space and Trails Master Plan.

(2020 – Present)

  • April 6, 2020- Cherokee Recreation & Parks was rebranded and launched the new logo
  • June 2020 – The Board of Commissioners adopted the CRPA Strategic Plan 2020-2024: Bringing Our Vision to Life.
  • October 2021 – Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies, (CAPRA)
  • April 2021 – SW Cherokee County Parks & Trails Master Plans approved
  • September 2021 – Renovations to Kenney Askew Memorial Park and Richard “Hunkey” Mauldin Sports Complex are completed.
  • May 2022 – NE Cherokee County Park Plans approved
  • June 3, 2022 – The Hickory Flat Gym Restoration Ribbon Cutting
  • February 3, 2023- L.B. “Buzz” Ahrens, Jr. Recreation Center Ribbon Cutting

Awards

1999

  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - District 5 Agency of the Year
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - Agency of the Year

2002

  • Independent Sports Association (ISA) Complex of the Year- Hobgood Park

2003

  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - District 5 Agency of the Year
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - Agency of the Year

2006 

  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - District 5 Agency of the Year
  • Distinguished Professional Award (GRPA) - Keith Hammond 
  • Mike Daniel Award (GRPA) – Kim Hamilton (Townsend)

2008     

  • Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Complex of the Year – Twin Creeks Softball Complex
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - District 5 Innovative Program – Lineman Challenge

2009     

  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - State Innovative Program – Lineman Challenge

2013    

  • National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) Excellence in Youth Sports Finalist
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - District 5 Agency of the Year
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - Most Outstanding New Recreation & Parks Facility - Cherokee County Aquatic Center (CCAC)
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - Lifeguard Competition – Bronze Medalists

2014     

  • National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) - Excellence in Youth Sports Finalist
  • ACG Build Georgia Award – CCAC
  • Aquatics International Dream Designs – CCAC
  • Cherokee Life magazine Best New Thing – CCAC
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - Lifeguard Competition – Bronze Medalists

2015     

  • National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) - Excellence in Youth Sports Winner

2016     

  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - District 5 Agency of the Year
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - Outstanding Online Media – www.crpa.net
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - Outstanding Special Event – Paws in the Pool
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - Outstanding Aquatic Program – SPLASH!
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - District 5 Innovative Program – Senior Adventure Camp

2017     

  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - Outstanding Marketing & Visibility Award – Senior Adventure Camp Flyer
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - District 5 Innovative Program – Strut Your Mutt
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - Lifeguard Competition – Gold & Bronze Medalists
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - Winter Lifeguard Games – Silver Medalists

2018     

  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - District 5 Innovative Program – Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - Lifeguard Competition – Bronze Medalists

2019     

  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - District 5 Outstanding Program – Cherokee Youth Basketball
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - Athletics/Aquatics Outstanding Special Event – CCAC Water Safety Week
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - District 5 Agency of the Year
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - Lifeguard Competition – Gold Medalists
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - Winter Lifeguard Games – Bronze Medalists

2020     

  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - District 5 Outstanding Program – Fishing Camp
  • National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) – Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider
  • USA Swimming Safe Sport Club – Cherokee County Aquatic Center Pelicans Swim Team

2021

  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - District 5 Distinguished Professional of the Year - Bryan Reynolds
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - District 5 Al Richardson Athletic Award - Shawn Schumacher
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - District 5 Outstanding Facilities & Grounds Maintenance Staff - Tony Stargel
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - District 5 Outstanding Special Event – CCAC Water Safety Week
  • Leadership Cherokee - Bob Frongillo “Magic Spark Plug” Award - Frankie Sanders
  • Safe Kids Chad Arp Award - Partner of the Year
  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - Agency of the Year for 150,001 and Over
  • National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) – Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider

2022

  • Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) - Outstanding Program Award - Cherokee Youth Basketball 
  • National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) – Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider

2023

  • NACPRO Outstanding Program Award for Cherokee Youth Basketball (CYB)
  • National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) – Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider