Parks division earns national accreditation
The City of Beavercreek Parks, Recreation & Culture Division has joined the ranks of elite park and recreation agencies across the country by earning accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). This distinguished accomplishment was awarded during the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference: A Virtual Experience. Less than one percent of agencies across the United States have achieved this accreditation.
CAPRA accreditation is the only national accreditation for park and recreation agencies, and is a measure of an agency’s overall quality of operation, management and service to the community. This mark of distinction indicates that an agency has met rigorous standards related to the management and administration of lands, facilities, resources, programs, safety and services.
As part of the accreditation process, the Parks & Recreation Division had to demonstrate compliance with 147 recognized standards, and document all policies and procedures. Often the process helps identify efficiencies and heighten areas of accountability, all of which translate into higher quality service and operation to benefit the community.
“Our staff view the process as a way to continue to assess and improve our division,” said Park Superintendent Kim Farrell. “It allows us to benchmark our operations against best practices to provide our residents excellent services. Our team has a good sense of pride and togetherness; this process brought even closer and created real sense of accomplishment and pride.”
“I, along with city council, am very proud of this great accomplishment made possible by our amazing park staff and leadership,” said Pete Landrum, City Manager. “It is a testament to the quality of services and opportunities the city is able to provide to its residents.”
The process for accreditation involves a formal application, self-assessments, a site visit by a team of trained visitors that results in a written report, and a hearing with the commission to grant accreditation. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s visitations were held virtually. Once accredited, the agency must uphold the standards by submitting an annual report and is reviewed again in five years.
The Commission is comprised of representatives from NRPA, the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials, the International City/County Management Association, the Academy for Leisure Sciences, the Armed Forces Recreation Network and the Council of State Executive Directors.