The City of Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department once again joins the ranks of the elite park and recreation agencies and departments across the country by earning
Re-Accreditation status 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 2014 NRPA Congress and Exposition. The Department was originally awarded Accreditation status in 2008.
Accredited agencies have to submit an annual update and apply for Re-Accreditation every five years. The Parks and Recreation Department established work teams to keep up with the Accreditation process and has achieved Re-Accreditation status for another 5 years.
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 Re-Accreditation process, Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department had to once again demonstrate compliance with 144 recognized standards and document all policies and procedures. The Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department met every standard and received a perfect score. 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.
“To be Re-Accredited shows that we continue to be an elite department and perform as we should in serving our Round Rock residents,” said Rick Atkins, Director of Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department. “Going forward we will continue to work hard to maintain this Accreditation status and truly represent Round Rock well.”
The process for Re-Accreditation involves self-assessments, a formal application, a site visit by a team of trained visitors that results in a written report, and a hearing with the commission to grant Re-Accreditation. The agency must uphold the standards 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 American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation, the Armed Forces Recreation Society and the Council of State Executive Directors.
For more information about CAPRA accreditation, visit www.nrpa.org/CAPRA.
About National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 40,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.NRPA.org.
For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.
