The City of Rochester Parks and Recreation Department joined the ranks of 200 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 Wednesday October 11, 2023, during the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference.

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 Rochester Parks & Recreation Department 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.

“CAPRA accreditation recognizes our commitment to excellence in delivering Rochester's parks and recreation system," stated Paul Widman, Parks & Recreation Director. "Over the past three years, we've rigorously reviewed and improved our policies, programs, planning, and operations. Accreditation is not merely an award to hang on the wall; it acknowledges the efforts of our team to continually strive for improvement.”

The process for accreditation involves a formal application, self-assessments, a site visit by a team of trained volunteers that results in a written report, and a hearing with the commission to grant accreditation.

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, the Council of State Executive Directors, The National Recreation and Park Ethnic Minority Society, The National Association of State Park Directors, and the American Therapeutic Recreation Association.

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

To learn more about NRPA, visit nrpa.org.