Daviess County Fiscal Court on Thursday received the GRADD Community of the Year Award for the work put into the Horse Creek Park renovations over the past year.
The award is given to the community that displays significant efforts to improve residents’ quality of life, according to GRADD (Green River Area Development District). Renovations to the park included Greenbelt connections, a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round, a spray park, and more.
The transformation to include handicap-accessible features — such as the inclusive playground for children of all abilities — was something for which Daviess County Judge-Executive Al Mattingly was thankful.
“I think the ‘playground for all’ was our proudest moment. All those kids being brought by their moms and dads and grandparents, and helped in a wheelchair or carried and placed on one of those pieces of equipment, had a grin on their face that just wouldn’t quit because they were with the other children that were using it,” Mattingly said.
Finishing the transformation was a labor of love for county commissioners, Mattingly said.
In other awards presented by GRADD Thursday night, a pair of individuals from Daviess County were honored.
David Ross, President of United Way of Ohio Valley, received the 2022 Citizenship Award for his dedication to the organization and his partnership with the Green River Area Community Foundation.
State Rep. Suzanne Miles was awarded the Wendell H. Ford Regional Legislative Leadership Award for her dedication to the her constituents in the 7th District, plus her work toward the foundation of the Commonwealth West Healthcare Innovation, designed to help the healthcare worker shortage in the area.
