The Peachtree

City Recreation Department has been named the top recreation department

in the state among other departments in its size category.

And one of

its volunteers has been named Volunteer of the Year in the same category.

The Georgia

Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) named Peachtree City the best

among eight county and city recreation departments that serve between

20,000 and 70,000 people. In that same category, Recreation Commission

member Luther Holt has been named the top volunteer by GRPA.

The Peachtree

City Recreation Department will receive its award at the state GRPA conference

in November at Jekyll Island.

Randy Gaddo,

the city's director of leisure services, said the department has been

working toward this award for the past three years.

"We've

kept our focus on customer service and customer satisfaction," Gaddo

said. "Our staff is professional, diligent and honestly concerned

with doing the best they can. We're all very proud at receiving this recognition."

Sherry McHugh,

the recreation administrator for the city, said the staff works diligently

to offer well-rounded programs.

"It is

an honor to be recognized by our peers for a job well done," McHugh

said.

The departments

were judged in seven different categories, including planning and evaluation,

organization and administration, facilities and recreation areas, marketing

and program services offered.

Holt has a

history of supporting parks and recreation efforts. Since 1995 he has

served on the Peachtree City Recreation Commission. He was also served

as co-chairman of the youth triathlon and as the recreation commission

liaison to the Kedron Fieldhouse and Aquatic Center users group.

Recently, Holt

was appointed as the commission's liaison with the All Children's Playground

committee to help raise $150,000 for a special needs accessible playground

at Picnic Park.

Holt also serves

the community as a mentor to local students through the school system,

as the chairman of the Fayette Community Hospital's hospitality committee

and as vice chair of the Big Bethel AME Church credit union.

Holt said the

award "came as a complete surprise to me.

"I didn't

even know I had been nominated," Holt added. "While I know there

are others who are equally or more deserving, I humbly accept the recognition

and vow to continue serving my