VALDOSTA — The Lowndes County Board of Commissioners honored the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority for winning State Agency of the Year with a proclamation. 

Board Chairman Bill Slaughter issued the proclamation at the VLPRA office naming Nov. 11, 2016 “VLPRA Day.” The designation comes after the Georgia Recreation and Park Association named the Authority State Agency of the Year for population 80,001-150,000. 

 It’s the third year in a row that VLPRA has received the honor. The agency’s executive director, George Page, also received GRPA’s most prestigious individual award: Distinguished Professional of the Year.

Chairman Slaughter and Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker presented the county designation, commending VLPRA for its commitment to area residents.

“We are blessed to have an outstanding organization like VLPRA serving our community,” Slaughter said. “George Page, his staff and the authority board do a tremendous job managing parks and facilities as well as providing recreation programs to citizens of all ages. Their dedication is reflected by these awards, and they are truly deserving of this honor.”

VLPRA received the state awards at the GRPA State Conference Banquet in Athens, Georgia Nov. 9. VLPRA also brought home several awards from the GRPA District 3 Banquet in October.  Page received the “Jim ‘Buck’ Goff Distinguished Professional Award,” the Authority won “Innovative Special Event of the Year” for its “Beyond the Runway Fashion Show,” and Mary Townsend was named “Volunteer of the Year.”