Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation Earns National Accreditation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 26, 2019

Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation remains among the ranks of the elite park and recreation agencies and departments across the country by once again 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 2019 NRPA Congress and Exposition in Baltimore.

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,KC Parks 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.

The process for 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 accreditation. Once accredited, the agency must uphold the standards and is reviewed again in five years. KC Parks received its first accreditation in 1999 and has continuously maintained its status as an accredited agency. There are currently 178 accredited park and recreation agencies in the United States.

The Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies is a 15-member board composed of representatives from: National Recreation and Park Association; American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration; International City/Council Management Association; Council of State Executive Directors; Academy of Leisure Sciences; National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials; and Armed Forces Recreation Network.

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

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.

ABOUT KC PARKS

Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation provides facilities, programs and recreational opportunities for the community that contribute to an aesthetically pleasing environment and enhanced quality of life. The department maintains 220 parks, 12,242 acres of parkland, 158 miles of trails and bikeways, 29 lakes, hundreds of athletic fields and tennis courts, 106 playgrounds, and five public golf courses.  Miles of scenic boulevards and parkways crisscross the city, where 48 fountains and 122 monuments and sculptures surprise and delight. Ten community centers, along with eight museums, provide the setting for socially equitable and community-driven programming. More at kcparks.org.