Five Rivers MetroParks maintains national accreditation
Agency first received accreditation in 2016, joining a prestigious list of agencies throughout the country that have met this industry gold standard.
Five Rivers MetroParks maintains national accreditation
The Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) have awarded reaccreditation to Five Rivers MetroParks. The announcement was made at the 2021 NRPA annual conference held Sept. 21-23 in Nashville.
“Achieving CAPRA reaccreditation is part of Five Rivers MetroParks’ commitment to ensuring best management practices and providing the world-class natural areas, parks, facilities and programs our community deserves,” said Becky Benná, Five Rivers MetroParks executive director and CEO. “Being reaccredited demonstrates to the community that MetroParks is committed to continual improvement and education, which has been infused into our organization’s culture. It holds our agency accountable to the public and ensures our responsiveness to meet their evolving needs.”
Reaccreditation is based on an agency’s compliance with 154 standards. Five Rivers MetroParks complied with 100% of the standards, exceeding the required compliance rate of 95% for reaccreditation. Five Rivers MetroParks is one of only 10 park and recreation agencies in Ohio and 192 in the United States to be CAPRA accredited.
CAPRA 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.
Preparing for CAPRA reaccreditation is an ongoing process following the initial accreditation, and standards must be met every five years to maintain accreditation.
“Every Five Rivers MetroParks employee had the opportunity to participate in the rigorous process to achieve reaccreditation,” Benná added. “This process occurred throughout the pandemic, and I am proud of how we were able to adapt and work through it all in a virtual environment, from the kick-off planning through the virtual visit from the reaccreditation team.”
Karen Davis, president of the Five Rivers MetroParks board of park commissioners, said she was not surprised to hear about the agency’s reaccreditation. “This agency has been committed to the highest standards and understanding what the community values most.”
ABOUT FIVE RIVERS METROPARKS
Celebrating nearly 60 years of preserving green space and natural areas, Five Rivers MetroParks is a nationally renowned park system accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies. Five Rivers MetroParks protects the region’s natural heritage and provides outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature. Educational programs and recreational opportunities are offered year-round for all ages. To learn more about Five Rivers MetroParks, log onto www.metroparks.org or call 937-275-PARK (7275).
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