Plano Parks and Recreation officially received reaccreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). This prestigious honor was presented at the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference held in Atlanta, Georgia, on Oct. 9, 2024.
CAPRA accreditation is the sole national accreditation for park and recreation agencies, serving as a benchmark for the overall quality of operations, management and community service. This esteemed recognition signifies that an agency has met stringent standards regarding the management and administration of lands, facilities, resources, programs, safety and services.
To achieve accreditation, Plano Parks and Recreation had to demonstrate compliance with 154 established standards and thoroughly document all policies and procedures. This process often reveals opportunities for increased efficiency and accountability, ultimately leading to enhanced service quality and operations that benefit the community.
“Plano Parks and Recreation has maintained its accreditation status since 1994 when we were one of eight inaugural agencies selected to go through the CAPRA accreditation process,” Plano Parks and Recreation Director Ron Smith said in an official statement. “Our department has always been, and will continue to be, committed to our profession’s best practices, in our delivery of quality parks, facilities, programs and services to our Plano community.”
The accreditation process includes submitting a formal application, completing self-assessments and undergoing a site visit by a team of trained volunteers who provide a written report. This is followed by a hearing with the commission to finalize the accreditation.
During the site visit, the team praised the department for using data in decision-making, strategic planning and thorough training and professionalism of its employees.
The commission is made up of representatives from various organizations, including 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, the Council of State Executive Directors, The National Recreation and Park Ethnic Minority Society, the National Association of State Park Directors and the American Therapeutic Recreation Association.
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