On Saturday, April 18, hundreds came out to Amerson River Park to celebrate Earth Day. The theme for Macon-Bibb County’s 2026 Earth Day in Macon was “Our Power, Our Parks, Our Planet.” Adults and children learned from vendors and organizations about how to better take care of their environment. There was live music, educational exhibitors with giveaways, a wellness zone, a bicycle raffle, school nutrition displays, and more. Like in past years, once kids completed the activities and get their Earth Day passport stamped, they earned a free kid’s Earth Day t-shirt.

Earth Day in Macon-Bibb is a catalyst for year-round awareness and action by encouraging practical sustainability for homes and businesses, engaging youth and families through interactive programming, and connecting residents with organizations supporting a healthier environment.

There was also an awards ceremony. The five 2026 Earth Day award winners have made special contributions to our community and to Macon’s vibrant park scene. Click here to see more pictures.

INNOVATION AWARD — Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority for Spirit of Macon Park

The Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority didn’t start out to build a park — they just wanted to finish the wall of murals at the Transfer Station and did so by spearheading the Spirit of Macon I & II mural projects.

But leaf litter and sap from trees threatened to destroy the Poplar Street Tunnel mural. To protect it the Transit Authority clearcut the forest hanging over the tunnel which immediately improved safety in the area — but left an ugly vacant lot.

AARP to the rescue with a national Community Challenge Grant. Partnering with landscape architect Wimberly Treadwell, Parks & Beautification and Public Works, the MBCTA created the tiny Spirit of Macon Park pocket park. And to promote wellness and community, the transit authority used a Community Foundation On The Table Grant to fund an array of free exercise classes.

For transforming a blighted and long-neglected area at the edge of downtown into a welcoming green space brimming with activity, the Earth Day Committee proudly awards the Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority its 2026 Innovation Award.

COMMUNITY CHAMPION — Wimberly Treadwell

It’s called “The Treadwell Touch” — an unparallelled list of projects that Wimberly Treadwell has designed for downtown Macon over more than 20 years — from Coleman Hill, the College Street Roundabout and Cherry Street Plaza, to the Hummingbird Courtyard, and most recently, East Macon’s Bicentennial Park and the Spirit of Macon Park.

In addition to drawing the plans for the Spirit of Macon Park, Wimberly collaborated with Macon-Bibb Traffic Engineer Nigel Floyd to redraw the Fifth Street approach to the Poplar Street Tunnel, reducing two narrow lanes to one wider lane to stop industrial trucks from clipping the sidewalks, and adding a bike lane to slow traffic. These changes have measurably improved safety around the new park, and in and out of the Tunnel.

For her visionary plans and impactful designs on a sweeping list of consequential projects in downtown Macon, sometimes pro bono, the Earth Day Committee honors talented, community-minded, Wimberly Treadwell with our 2026 Community Champion Award.

EXTRA MILE AWARD — Parks & Beautification

Parks & Beautification maintains Macon-Bibb’s 75 passive parks, five miles of walking trails, four historical cemeteries, 12 fountains & is a forestry service for the county’s trees. In addition to that daunting responsibility, director Michael Glisson and his team brought Wimberly Treadwell’s Spirit of Macon Park plan to life.

They removed rocks, leveled the land, overseeded the grass, and donated and installed six benches and a doggie waste station. They planted 21 new trees and more than 100 shrubs and flowers; watered and strawed the park for the December ribbon cutting, and when a new hybrid Cherry Blossom tree became available, donated and planted eight new Helen Taft trees at the park.

Today, the former forest and encampment is a haven on the edge of downtown. For the multitude of ways they beautify Macon-Bibb County and most recently, for creating our beloved Spirit of Macon Park, the Earth Day Committee honors Michael Glisson and his outstanding Parks & Beautification team with a 2026 EXTRA MILE AWARD.

EXTRA MILE AWARD — Public Works, Concrete & Asphalt Team

Public Works provides street and road maintenance for more than 1,064 miles of paved roads and 39 miles of unpaved roads in Macon-Bibb County. Rico’s Hughes Concrete & Asphalt team has transformed all four corners of Fifth and Poplar as part of the Spirit of Macon Park project.

They repaired the broken sidewalks on both sides of the Poplar Street Tunnel crushed by industrial trucks; replaced the crumbling concrete and broken asphalt on the park side of Fifth Street; built a new sidewalk across Fifth and created a small parking lot at the park.

Most recently, they collaborated with the Macon Water Authority to replace the dangerous, collapsed storm drain on the corner of Fifth at Poplar, surrounding it with a wide, new ADA compliant sidewalk.

For the backbreaking and complex roadwork that has transformed the busy industrial corner of Fifth and Poplar, and for the new sidewalks and asphalt essential to the Spirit of Macon Park, the Earth Day Committee applauds Rico Hughes and his hardworking Concrete & Asphalt crew as recipients of a 2026 EXTRA MILE AWARD.

EXTRA MILE AWARD — BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT TEAM (BID)

The Business Improvement District Team known as BID led by operations manager, Richard Bingaman, is having a major impact on downtown from Spring Street to Fifth Street, and Riverside Drive to Oglethorpe Street. It’s patrolled seven days a week by this highly visible and engaged team of 11 ambassadors in royal blue shirts and hats through the company “Block by Block.”

BID’s focus is cleaning and hospitality — keeping downtown cleaner, greener and safe. NewTown Macon who manages BID says that the team “maintains downtown with an elevated attention to detail.” That means clear curb lines, manicured planter beds, debris-free alleyways, regularly pressure-washed sidewalks, and friendly faces who assist visitors with directions and recommendations. BID paints and manages graffiti removal and collaborates on special projects.

For their outstanding service and commitment to downtown, the Earth Day Committee happily recognizes Richard Bingaman and his Business Improvement District team with a 2026 EXTRA MILE AWARD.

Macon-Bibb County, Georgia

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