The City of Rome is proud to be named as a 2026 Visionary City Award honoree, presented by the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) in collaboration with Georgia Trend. Selected in the Large Cities Category, Rome was honored for the revitalization of Banty Jones Park, a once-overlooked neighborhood space transformed through resident engagement and cross-sector collaboration. Guided by input from more than 175 residents, the city reimagined the park as a safe, accessible, and family-friendly gathering place. This project reflects the power of community-driven design.”“The revitalization of Banty Jones Park represents what Rome is all about— working together to create spaces that strengthen community connections,” said Rome City Manager Sammy Rich. Banty Jones Park is located at 212 E 13th Street and is open daily for leisure use.