In October, the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) approved reaccreditation for the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department through the fall of 2028.
In 2018 the PRCR Department joined the ranks of elite parks and recreation agencies across the US by earning CAPRA accreditation. Such recognition is the only national accreditation for parks 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 reaccreditation process, the PRCR Department was required to demonstrate compliance with more than 150 recognized standards, while documenting 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 reaccreditation process required a total commitment from our entire department, as well as other departments within the Town of Wake Forest,” said PRCR Department Director Ruben Wall. “Obtaining reaccreditation is a testament to our commitment to providing the highest quality of services in the field of recreation and cultural resources to the citizens we serve.”
According to the National Recreation and Park Association, only 206 out of the more than 10,000 park and recreation agencies across the U.S are CAPRA-accredited, while in North Carolina, Wake Forest is one of only 14.
The accreditation process 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. The Wake Forest PRCR Department scored a perfect 100.
To maintain its accreditation, the PRCR Department must uphold CAPRA standards by submitting an annual report and consenting to another review in five years. For more information about CAPRA accreditation, visit www.nrpa.org/CAPRA. For more information about the Wake Forest PRCR Department, email Ruben Wall at rwall@wakeforestnc.gov.
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