CAPRA Accreditation
DeSoto Parks & Recreation Gains Coveted CAPRA Re-Accreditation
Recognition In Phoenix, AZ Keeps DeSoto Parks & Rec Among Top 200 Systems In the USA
October 5, 2022
Members of the DeSoto Parks & Recreation Leadership Team and City Manager Brandon Wright were on hand on September 21st at the National Recreation and Park Association.
2022 Annual Conference in Phoenix for the announcement that DeSoto Parks & Recreation had received reaccreditation through NRPA’s Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). This CAPRA Accreditation keeps DeSoto Parks in an elite group of fewer than 200 parks & recreation agencies in the USA to hold this coveted title.
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, DeSoto Parks & Recreation had to demonstrate compliance with 154 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.
“DeSoto Parks & Recreation has received the great news that our department has been reaccredited by the National Recreation and Park Association’s Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). DeSoto Parks & Recreation is one of 192 agencies nationwide to hold this prestigious distinction,” said DeSoto Parks Director Chris Glover. “I couldn’t be more proud of our team. Operationalizing the CAPRA standards best practices into all aspects of our agency’s genetic make-up will result in enhanced community pride in opportunities related to the quality of life.”
The process for reaccreditation 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. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's visitations were held virtually. Once reaccredited, the agency must uphold the standards by submitting an annual report which is reviewed again in five years.
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In photo (left to right): Brandon Wright, Chermaine Cole, Nathan Busby, Chris Glover, Deneen Anderson, Kevin Moore, Sydney Elliott
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For more information about CAPRA accreditation, visit www.nrpa.org/CAPRA.
CAPRA Accreditation
DeSoto Parks & Recreation Receives CAPRA Accreditation
October 5, 2016
The City of DeSoto Parks & Recreation joins the ranks of the elite park and recreation agencies and departments 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 2016 NRPA Congress and Exposition in St. Louis, MO. The Department is one of only twelve agencies in the state of Texas to have achieved this standard.
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 City of DeSoto Parks & Recreation demonstrated 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 enhanced service and operation to benefit the community.
“This national accreditation of our Parks & Recreation Department is another major milestone for our City,” said DeSoto Mayor Curtistene McCowan. “The honor of being ranked among the "best of the best" is a testament to the outstanding leadership, dedication and hard work of our administration, staff and community partners” said Mayor McCowan. “Special commendations go to M. Renee Johnson and her team for establishing and maintaining a standard of excellence for programs and services that meet the needs of our diverse 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 qualifying standards and be 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 American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation, the Armed Forces Recreation Society and the Council of State Executive Directors.
For more information about CAPRA accreditation, visit nrpa.org/CAPRA.
About DeSoto Parks & Recreation - The DeSoto Parks & Recreation Department is a local, regional and national award-winning department located in suburban Dallas. DeSoto Parks & Recreation Department represents the heartbeat of a highly engaged, diverse community. The department thrives in promoting health, wellness and multicultural arts and entertainment programs and is the No. 1 tourist attraction in the city of DeSoto, hosting thousands of residents and visitors to various special events and numerous national youth sports tournaments. The department's mission is to enrich the quality of life in DeSoto, provide world-class customer service, premier parks and dynamic recreational opportunities.
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In photo (left to right): Senior Center Manager, Nathan Busby; Recreation Specialist, Roderick Turner; Recreation/Civic Center Supervisor, Kevin Moore; Managing Director, M. Renee Johnson; Mayor, Curtistene S. McCowan; CAPRA Visitation Committee Chair, Gregory Mack; Parks Operations Coordinator, Danny Johnson
October 5, 2016
The City of DeSoto Parks & Recreation joins the ranks of the elite park and recreation agencies and departments 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 2016 NRPA Congress and Exposition in St. Louis, MO. The Department is one of only twelve agencies in the state of Texas to have achieved this standard.
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 City of DeSoto Parks & Recreation demonstrated 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 enhanced service and operation to benefit the community.
“This national accreditation of our Parks & Recreation Department is another major milestone for our City,” said DeSoto Mayor Curtistene McCowan. “The honor of being ranked among the "best of the best" is a testament to the outstanding leadership, dedication and hard work of our administration, staff and community partners” said Mayor McCowan. “Special commendations go to M. Renee Johnson and her team for establishing and maintaining a standard of excellence for programs and services that meet the needs of our diverse 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 qualifying standards and be 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 American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation, the Armed Forces Recreation Society and the Council of State Executive Directors.
For more information about CAPRA accreditation, visit nrpa.org/CAPRA.
About DeSoto Parks & Recreation - The DeSoto Parks & Recreation Department is a local, regional and national award-winning department located in suburban Dallas. DeSoto Parks & Recreation Department represents the heartbeat of a highly engaged, diverse community. The department thrives in promoting health, wellness and multicultural arts and entertainment programs and is the No. 1 tourist attraction in the city of DeSoto, hosting thousands of residents and visitors to various special events and numerous national youth sports tournaments. The department's mission is to enrich the quality of life in DeSoto, provide world-class customer service, premier parks and dynamic recreational opportunities.
In photo (left to right): Senior Center Manager, Nathan Busby; Recreation Specialist, Roderick Turner; Recreation/Civic Center Supervisor, Kevin Moore; Managing Director, M. Renee Johnson; Mayor, Curtistene S. McCowan; CAPRA Visitation Committee Chair, Gregory Mack; Parks Operations Coordinator, Danny Johnson
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 NRPA.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit nrpa research.
For more information about CAPRA accreditation, visit www.nrpa.org/CAPRA.
For more information about CAPRA accreditation, visit www.nrpa.org/CAPRA.
