Chesterfield Parks, Recreation & Arts Department receives prestigious re-accreditation from CAPRA

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has announced that the City of Chesterfield Parks, Recreation & Arts Department has become one of only 153 park and recreation agencies accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), and only one of five Parks and Recreation agency in the state of Missouri. This distinguished accomplishment was announced during the NRPA 2017 Legislative Forum in New Orleans. The department achieved re-accreditation in 2017; its first accreditation was received in 2011.

National accreditation through CAPRA is an extensive multi-year process, which includes the completion of an application and detailed self-assessment report, a site visit by a committee of experienced park and recreation professionals, and a final assessment completed by the agency and the Commission. Accreditation requires agencies to respond to 155 standards representing elements of effective and efficient park and recreation operations. To become accredited, agencies must fully meet 140 standards.

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. Accreditation is valid for a period of 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.

The department is led by Thomas McCarthy, Parks, Recreation & Arts Director. "Going through the CAPRA reaccreditation process assures our residents and community that we, as their Parks, Recreation & Arts Department, are working at the highest and most efficient professional manner. Being judged by our peers from across the country assures and validates our professionalism, accountability, financial practices and customer service. This review takes a very dedicated team and lots of cooperation from all the departments in the city,” McCarthy stated.

For more information about the National Recreation and Park Association, go to http://www.nrpa.org.