Sudbury Park and Rec Receives National Honor

The Sudbury Park and Recreation joins the ranks of the elite park and recreation agencies and departments 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 during the 2013 NRPA Congress and Exposition in Houston, TX.

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, Sudbury Park and Recreation had to demonstrate compliance with 144 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.

“I am so proud of all the staff at the Sudbury Park and Recreation Department who worked tirelessly during this three year effort to gain accreditation. As a director I am thrilled to showcase for the community our commitment to providing the best programs around and holding ourselves to the highest standards for our residents.” states Park and Recreation Director Nancy McShea.

The process for accreditation involves self-assessments, a formal application, a site visit by a team of trained visitors that results in a written report, and a hearing with the commission to grant accreditation. Once accredited, the agency must uphold the standards 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 American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation, the Armed Forces Recreation Society and the Council of State Executive Directors.

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

The Sudbury Park and Recreation Department consists of the following full time staff who worked to accomplish this amazing achievement: Tim Goulding, Aquatics Facility Director; John Barrett, Aquatics Supervisor; Chery Finley, Aquatics Supervisor; Pat Haberstroh, Office Manager; Jessica Bendel, Youth Coordinator; Amber Comeau, Program Coordinator; Anna Wood, Adaptive Sports and Recreation Director; Nancy McShea, Park and Recreation Director. Sudbury becomes the 1st agency in Massachusetts to earn accreditation and joins only 118 other communities nationwide.