City of Tucker Parks and Recreation Department Earns Top State and District Honors
November 9, 2026
The City of Tucker’s Parks and Recreation Department has been recognized with some of the highest honors awarded by the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA), earning both state and district-level awards that highlight the department’s commitment to excellence, community engagement, and outstanding service.
Tucker received the GRPA Agency of the Year Award for communities with populations between 20,001 and 40,000. The award is the highest distinction presented by GRPA and recognizes exemplary agencies that provide recreation, park, and leisure services. Judges evaluate agencies based on new and innovative programs, major accomplishments beyond programming, and the overall impact their work has on the community.
Tucker also earned the GRPA District 6 Agency of the Year Award in the same population category. This award is the same distinction and criteria as the state level award.
The recognitions are especially significant given the broad field of competition. GRPA represents 228 recreation and park agencies across Georgia, while District 6 includes approximately 30 agencies serving communities throughout the metro Atlanta region.
The department also celebrated several individual accomplishments:
- GRPA Volunteer of the Year Award (State Award) for communities with populations between 20,001 and 40,000 was presented to Paula Kuniansky of the Tucker Mahjong Club. The GRPA State Volunteer Award recognizes individuals, businesses, and organizations whose volunteer service has made a lasting difference in recreation, leisure services, parks, or conservation. Recipients are honored for generously giving their time without compensation to support local agencies and strengthen the communities they serve.
- Anna Hendry and Jess Joiner successfully completed GRPA’s Georgia Harris Leadership II Course, an advanced professional development program designed to strengthen leadership skills and prepare recreation professionals for greater levels of service and responsibility within the field.
- Charlie Chavez completed GRPA’s Mentee/Mentor Program, which pairs emerging professionals with experienced leaders to foster professional growth, knowledge sharing, and leadership development within the parks and recreation profession.
These awards and accomplishments emphasize the City of Tucker’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality services that enhance the quality of life for residents of all ages.
For more information about Tucker Parks and Recreation programs and facilities, visit tuckerga.gov/parks