InTucker Magazine

Friends of Tucker Parks

Last month, the Friends of Tucker Parks organization received the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association’s Volunteer of the Year award, announced at the state conference and presented at the Tucker Council meeting on November 12.

Founded in 2010 through a joint vision of multiple community groups, the Friends of Tucker Parks is a volunteer led 501c3 with a mission to preserve, protect and improve all parks located in Tucker, Georgia in partnership with the City of Tucker government. They are the umbrella or parent organization to the underlying “Friends of” groups for each park in the City. Together, they unify their voices in advocacy for all of Tucker’s parkland, leverage state and local grant opportunities, and pour on the sweat equity.

Throughout the years and hundreds of volunteer hours, the Friends of Tucker Parks has made a positive impact on the City’s parks while providing opportunities for service hours. The board members meet on a monthly basis with all the Tucker park “Friends of” groups and City staff to plan the bi-monthly cleanup days. This consistent and open collaboration has allowed for numerous successful projects including but not limited to:

• Annual MLK, Jr Day of Service events
• Restoration projects at Johns Homestead Park
• Created a Commemorative Park Amenity Program
• Supported other organizations in events like Tucker Day, River’s Alive and the Great American Cleanup.
• Workdays to clear invasive plants
• Guided walks as part of the “Tucker Walks” program
• The Master Gardeners care for the Native Plant and Wildlife Walk at Henderson Park

The Friends of Tucker Parks group is the perfect example of what a Citizen of the Month can do and be. They are the embodiment of the Tucker Way and I am blessed to be part of it.

Nomination by Shawn Stone