Parks & Rec earns statewide recognition 5th consecutive year

Dunwoody, GA - October 2, 2025 - Dunwoody Parks and Recreation has once again been recognized among the best in Georgia. The Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) named the department District 6 Agency of the Year during its annual awards banquet on Wednesday. This marks the fifth consecutive year that Dunwoody has earned the honor, which celebrates excellence and leadership in delivering high-quality parks, facilities, and programs that enrich community life.

"Each year, our team strives to raise the bar for Dunwoody," said Dunwoody Parks and Recreation Director Rachel Waldron. "To be recognized by our peers five years in a row is both humbling and motivating. I'm especially proud of the individual honors our staff earned this year, and I'm grateful to be recognized for my own contributions."

Waldron received the Greg White Distinguished Professional of the Year Award, a new award for 2025 that recognizes individuals who have made outstanding and lasting contributions to leisure services. This is the highest award GRPA can bestow on one of its members.

In addition, GRPA honored two other Dunwoody team members with prestigious awards:

• David Alexander, Parks Grounds Coordinator - Maintenance & Operations Network Award for outstanding contributions in parks and recreation operations
• Kate Borden, Recreation Programs Manager - Administrative & Leadership Network Award for excellence in leadership and program development

GRPA was formed in 1945 as a private, non-profit institution to support and promote the recreation and park industries in Georgia. District 6 covers DeKalb County and 21 other counties in middle and north Georgia. Dunwoody Parks and Recreation was recognized for exemplary performance in the District 6 population category of 50,001 to 80,000 residents.

In 2025, Dunwoody Parks and Recreation focused on making programs and events more inclusive by adding Special Pops Tennis, Adaptive Soccer and several therapeutic programs. The department also invested in new public art installations, like "Reflections" at Two Bridges Park. Park improvements include a new playground at Waterford Park, four SaveStations equipped with life-saving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), and a new Veterans Memorial that's scheduled to be completed in time for Veterans Day.

"Rachel and her team deserve this special recognition by other park professionals," said Dunwoody City Manager Eric Linton. "The work they do is nonstop, and I'm proud of their ingenuity and commitment to offering something for everyone."

Parks staff are members of GRPA and complete 80 hours of training each year. Together, they manage more than 200 acres of green space across seven parks, providing safe, welcoming, and innovative spaces for residents and visitors alike.

PHOTO: (L-R) Facilities Coordinator Brandon Alvarado, Recreation Program Coordinator Andrea Perez, Recreation Coordinator Dylan Gesford, Operations Project Manager Gabe Neps, Parks and Recreation Director Rachel Waldron, Recreation Leader Antwain Adams, Recreation Programs Manager Kate Borden, Facilities Associate Michelle Calderon, and Parks Grounds Coordinator David Alexander.

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For more information regarding the City of Dunwoody, please contact Jennifer Boettcher, Communications Director.