Albany and Griffin Earn Visionary City Awards

Each year the Georgia Municipal Association and Georgia Trend magazine recognize cities in Georgia that have turned thoughtful planning into measurable results for their residents. This year Albany and Griffin were awarded for excellence in civic engagement, innovative problem-solving, inclusivity, cross-sector collaboration, and the development of sustainable, long-term community initiatives.

Albany

Albany was recognized for the revitalization of the city’s Charles Driskell Park Community Center, formerly known as Carver Park. The city invested $8 million to build and improve a community center, an accessible playground, basketball courts, football field, walking track and swimming pool, transforming an aging facility into an ADA-compliant hub offering after-school programs, wellness activities, technology access and gathering spaces.

Much of the project’s planning was based on input from residents who said they wanted a place for seniors to exercise, after-school programs, and a safe place for teens and neighbors to gather. Soon after the grand reopening the center was bustling with fitness classes, mentoring programs and basketball tournaments.

The Driskell Park refurbishment is the first step in Albany’s plan to modernize recreational infrastructure, improve accessibility and provide places for the community to come together.

“The Driskell Park ribbon cutting was the happiest day of my term, not only for what the center provides, but for what it unlocks citywide,” said Mayor Bo Dorough.

Griffin

Griffin earned the Visionary City Award for the impact its South Precinct and Community Center is having on the Southside area of the city. Opened in 2025, the Community Center is a dual-purpose facility that provides a safe and positive space for children ages 8 to 12 and their families.

The Griffin-Spalding County School System coordinates activities at the center including tutoring and student mentorship, and provides community outreach officers to area elementary schools each day.

“With the Southside area having a history of gang and drug activity, many young people lacked a safe, structured environment to visit after school, and parents had few options outside the home,” said Lt. Brandon Walden of the Griffin Police Department. He noted that criminal activity at nearby Raymond Head Jr. Park discouraged families from using a space intended for recreation and community gathering.

Jessica O’Connor, Griffin’s city manager, calls the city’s successful approach “a commitment to partnership, integrity and service.”

“The greatest surprise was how quickly the community embraced the center and how deeply relationships changed,” said O’Connor. “Neighbors resolved long-standing disputes, parents found a peaceful place to spend time with their children and older residents expressed gratitude and a desire to volunteer.”

Since its opening, more than 22 families have registered for programs at the center, with kids stopping by the community center daily for games, crafts, tutoring and recreation. The facility also has helped reduce calls for service in the surrounding area while building trust and daily interaction between officers and families.

“Each of these initiatives reflects the kind of thoughtful, community-driven work happening in cities across Georgia every day,” said Larry Hanson, CEO and executive director of the Georgia Municipal Association. “They highlight strong ideas and strong partnerships, and offer examples other cities can learn from.”

Previous Participant Visionary City winners include Hogansville and Thomaston in 2025, Covington in 2024, Camilla, LaGrange and Norcross in 2023, Acworth, Covington, Lawrenceville and Moultrie in 2022, Douglas and Griffin in 2021, and Adel, Hogansville, Marietta and Thomasville in 2020.