City of Miami Parks and Recreation Earns National Reaccreditation

Published on October 20, 2023

On October 12, 2023, the City of Miami Parks and Recreation joined the ranks of 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) for the second time. This distinguished accomplishment was awarded during the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference, which took place this year in Dallas, Texas.

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 Miami Parks and 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.

“The City of Miami Parks and Recreation Department has been reaccredited by the National Recreation and Park Association’s Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). We are delighted to receive this prestigious distinction for a second time and are extremely proud to be one of 193 agencies nationwide that hold this title,” said Miami Parks Director Chris Evans. “I am so proud of the Miami Parks team for all their continuous dedication to maintaining CAPRA standards and implementing best practices in ensuring our agency is committed to promoting health and wellness, equity, and conservation in our communities and to the residents and visitors we serve in the city of Miami.”

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/CAP