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Avondale Earns National Accreditation in Parks and Recreation
Media Release
City of Avondale Public Information Office
Avondale Earns National Accreditation in Parks and Recreation
Mark of distinction recognizes commitment to highest level of service to the community
City of Avondale Parks and Recreation joins the ranks of elite park and recreation agencies across the country that have earned 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 2022 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. The City of Avondale is one of only 199 accredited park and recreation agencies in the United States to have successfully achieved national accreditation to receive this designation, and one of 11 in Arizona to have earned this National Accreditation.
“I am extremely proud of all of the hard work that was done to earn this designation. It speaks to the quality of the staff and their commitment to providing Parks and Recreation programs and amenities to the Avondale community,” said Bryan Hughes, Avondale Parks & Recreation Director.
As part of the accreditation process, City of Avondale 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.
The process for accreditation 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 accredited, the agency must uphold the standards by submitting an annual report and is 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 Academy for Leisure Sciences, the Armed Forces Recreation Network, and the Council of State Executive Directors.
For more information about CAPRA accreditation, visit www.nrpa.org/CAPRA .
For more information about Avondale Parks and Recreation, visit https://www.avondaleaz.gov/government/departments/parks-recreation or follow @AvondaleParksandRec..
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