Parks & Recreation Department Earns National Accreditation

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - On September 25, 2017, the City of Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department 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 2017 NRPA Annual Conference in New Orleans.

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 Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department had to demonstrate compliance with 151 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.

“This accreditation assures the public that our department meets the highest national standards of best practices in the field of parks and recreation. Corpus Christi is one of 14 cities in Texas to earn this distinction, and is one of only 165 in the nation. I am proud to say that all our department staff work diligently every day to provide the best public services possible for our citizens, visitors and stakeholders. I am very proud for our city,” said E. Jay Ellington, CPRE, Director of the Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department.

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. 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.

For more information about CAPRA accreditation, visit www.nrpa.org/CAPRA.

About the City of Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department
The department offers a wide-range of recreation, social, nutrition, fitness and cultural activities for all ages. It manages 2,100 acres of city parks system at 190 sites, 13.8 linear miles of gulf and bayfront beaches, open spaces, recreation centers, senior centers, gyms, pools, skate parks, sports fields, golf courses, tennis centers, pavilions and a cultural center. It provides opportunities to enrich everyone's lives and encourages positive lifestyle choices…to Live. Learn. Play! Visit www.ccparkandrec.com.

About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, 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.