Earth Day Festival Draws Hundreds to Amerson River Park, Honors Community Leaders
MACON, Ga. — Hundreds of residents gathered April 18 at Amerson River Park for Macon-Bibb County’s annual Earth Day celebration, an event focused on environmental awareness, community engagement and recognition of local contributions to sustainability.
The 2026 event, themed “Our Power, Our Parks, Our Planet,” featured a wide range of activities for families and individuals, including live music, educational exhibits, wellness programming and interactive displays from local organizations. Children participated in hands-on activities and received an Earth Day passport that, once completed, earned them a free event T-shirt.
Vendors and community groups provided information on environmental stewardship, offering guidance on how residents can adopt more sustainable practices in their daily lives. Organizers said the event is designed not only as a one-day celebration, but as a catalyst for year-round awareness and action, encouraging both households and businesses to engage in environmentally responsible efforts.
A central part of the event was an awards ceremony recognizing individuals and organizations for their impact on Macon’s parks and environmental initiatives.
The Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority received the Innovation Award for its role in developing the Spirit of Macon Park, a project that transformed a neglected area near the Poplar Street Tunnel into an active green space. The project originated from efforts to complete mural work in the area, which led to clearing overgrown vegetation that had posed safety concerns. Through partnerships with organizations and local agencies, the area was redeveloped into a pocket park featuring green space and wellness programming.
Wimberly Treadwell was named Community Champion for her long-standing contributions to downtown Macon through landscape design and urban planning. Her work has included projects such as Coleman Hill, Cherry Street Plaza and more recent developments like the Spirit of Macon Park. She also collaborated on traffic redesign efforts near the Poplar Street Tunnel to improve safety for pedestrians and motorists.
Several Extra Mile Awards were presented to recognize ongoing efforts in maintaining and improving public spaces. Parks and Beautification was honored for its role in maintaining parks, trails and green spaces, as well as helping bring the Spirit of Macon Park project to completion through landscaping and infrastructure work.
The Public Works Concrete and Asphalt Team was recognized for repairs and construction efforts around the park area, including sidewalk reconstruction, asphalt work and storm drain improvements that enhanced accessibility and safety.
The Business Improvement District team also received an Extra Mile Award for its work maintaining downtown Macon through cleaning, beautification and hospitality services. The team conducts daily patrols, manages graffiti removal and assists visitors, contributing to a cleaner and more accessible downtown environment.
Organizers said the event continues to serve as a platform to connect residents with environmental resources while highlighting the impact of collaborative efforts across the community.
