The Georgia Recreation and Park Association has honored 15 individuals with their highest award – The Hall of Fame Award – over the last decade. This year the GRPA honored Georgia Power, the first corporation ever to receive the award, at its annual convention Nov. 3 at the Gainesville Civic Center. The Hall of Fame Award is given for lifetime achievement and pioneering efforts in recreation in Georgia. Jimmy Wilson, vice president of Georgia Power’s Land Department, will accept the award.

“Through the years, Georgia Power has supported the GRPA by providing employees to serve on our board, by donating money to get programs and leadership curriculums developed. They also donated the land that resulted in the building of our administrative office in Conyers,” said Thad Studstill, executive director of the GRPA. “Our Hall of Fame committee felt it was time to honor this great company for its outstanding support in offering recreation to Georgians.”

The relationship between the GRPA and Georgia Power began in the 1960’s when Frank Hood served on the GRPA board and helped get a guide printed that was used by Studstill as a blueprint for recreation programs in cities and counties across the state. Harold McKenzie, Jim Davis, Jim McGuffey and most recently Mike Barnett, who currently serves on the GRPA board, have continued the relationship over the years. Barnett is a land management specialist at Bartlett’s Ferry near Columbus.