Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board : Minneapolis Park And Recreation Board Earns National CAPRA Accreditation

Press release from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:

2021-10-05

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is pleased to announce it received re-accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). This distinguished accomplishment was announced September 21, 2021a during the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) 2021 Annual Conference in Nashville, Tenn.

Earning national accreditation through CAPRA is a thorough, multi-year process. It includes completing an application and self-assessment report, a site visit by a committee comprised of experienced park and recreation professionals and final assessment completed by both the applicant and CAPRA committee. Due to COVID-19, this work was done virtually.

“I am excited to achieve this remarkable accomplishment and am deeply grateful for all of the hard work that went into earning it,” said MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura. “Although preparing for the accreditation during a pandemic made the work more challenging, our team of dedicated professionals ensured that the process was thorough and completed on time.  This accreditation helps make sure that all Minneapolis park users will continue to enjoy the best experience possible.”

As part of the accreditation process, the MPRB 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.

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. Once accredited, the agency must uphold the standards by submitting an annual report and is reviewed again in five years.

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

This press release was produced by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board. The views expressed here are the author’s own.