BROWARD COUNTY COMMISSION
NEWS RELEASE
Parks and Recreation Division ▪ 950 N.W. 38th St., Oakland Park, FL 33309
Phone: 954-357-8100 ▪ Fax: 954-561-5359 ▪ www.broward.org/parks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: June 13, 2012 Phone: 954-357-8115
From: Michael Mills E-mail:
Broward County Parks and Recreation Division
Achieves Reaccreditation for the Third Time
For the third time since its initial accreditation was awarded in 1997, the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division has received notification from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) that the Division has been certified for reaccreditation. The NRPA administratively sponsors the only national accreditation process of park and recreation agencies through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA).
National accreditation is a valuable measure of an agency’s overall quality of operation, management, and service to the community, and assures policy makers, agency employees, the general public, and taxpayers that an accredited park and recreation agency has been independently evaluated against established quality assurance and improvement benchmarks. To qualify for accreditation, an agency must prepare and submit to CAPRA the agency’s self-assessment and proof of compliance with all 36 Fundamental Standards of Excellence, in addition to 92 of the remaining 108 Standards of Excellence.
The self-assessment and proof of compliance are followed by an on-site peer review by a visitation team consisting of several CAPRA-certified park and recreation professionals from across the United States. If accreditation is granted, the agency must repeat the process every five years to ensure compliance with the Standards of Excellence, in addition to annually submitting reports addressing its continued compliance.
The Broward County Parks and Recreation Division submitted its first self-assessment and proof of compliance and hosted an on-site visitation team in 1996. Initial CAPRA accreditation was awarded in 1997, with the Division meeting 96 percent of the Standards of Excellence. The Division was again accredited in 2002 and 2007, meeting 100 percent of the Standards of Excellence both times. The 100 percent compliance rate was repeated for the most recent accreditation, based on a review by the visitation team in December 2011.
In recognition of the reaccreditation, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners issued a proclamation declaring June as Parks and Recreation Division Reaccreditation Month at its 2 p.m. meeting on Tuesday, June 12.
For further information, call the Parks and Recreation Division at 954-357-8184.
Founded in February 1956 and accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies, Broward County Parks and Recreation Division manages nearly 6,500 acres, encompassing 19 regional parks and nature centers, six neighborhood parks, and 21 natural areas at various stages of development. Facilities include water parks, campgrounds, a target range, a stadium, a skate park, an observatory, mountain bike trails, an educational farm with stables, and a velodrome and other sports facilities. Hours and fees vary by location. For more information, visit www.broward.org/parks.
Find Yourself – At a Broward County Park
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Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations in order to participate in County programs, services, and activities must contact the Special Populations Section at 954-357-8170 or TTY 954-537-2844 at least 10 business days prior to the scheduled meeting or event to request an accommodation.