City of Dallas, TX
09/22/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/22/2021 14:57
Dallas Park and Recreation earns national accreditation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2021
For more informationAndrea Hawkins
(DALLAS) - Dallas Park and Recreation Department recently earned national accreditation in the field of parks and recreation through the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).
The department first earned the distinction in 2016.
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 distinction indicates that an agency has met rigorous standards related to the management and administration of lands, facilities, resources, programs, safety and services.
"As a newly elected council member and former Dallas Park and Recreation Board member, I am passionate and fully committed to providing residents, visitors, and our communities with the best parks, recreational facilities and leisure programs," said Councilmember Jesse Moreno of District 2."I've seen our park system evolve into one of the best in the nation and I am excited. Dallas will continue to invest resources to make sure parks and recreation programs are available and easy to access for residents no matter who they are and where they are in Dallas."
As part of the accreditation process, Dallas demonstrated compliance with 154 recognized standards and documented all policies and procedures. Less than 2 percent of park and recreation agencies in the country have attained accreditation. Dallas is among 20 municipal park and recreation departments in Texas to be accredited.
"We could not be happier with where our park system is, how it is growing and how it will continue to grow for the future. It has never been more apparent than right now that Dallas residents love their parks and trails, and they have given overwhelming support for bond programs that have further enhanced the park system," Dallas Park and Recreation Board President Calvert Collins-Bratton said. "Getting to this point took years of visionary leadership by Dallas Park and Recreation employees and Park Board members with the support of our City Council, partner agencies and innovative public-private partnerships."
Accreditation signifies that the department utilizes national best practices in all facets of the organization from recreation programs to park maintenance standards to business operations. The accreditation process often helps identify efficiencies and heighten areas of accountability, all of which translate into higher quality service and operation to benefit the community.
The accreditation process 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.
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