DENTON, TX, Oct. 12, 2023 – Today, City Manager Sara Hensley announced that the City of Denton’s Parks and Recreation Department has earned national accreditation for standards of excellence through the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The accreditation was awarded at the annual NRPA conference, held this year in Dallas, Texas, with over 7,800 parks and recreation professionals in attendance.
“The achievement of accreditation emphasizes the City’s commitment to delivering memorable experiences and diverse programming for all Denton residents,” says Gary Packan, Parks and Recreation Director. “I applaud everyone, past and present, who contributed to our successful growth and ability to deliver premier services.”
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 the City of Denton has met rigorous standards related to the management and administration of lands, facilities, resources, programs safety, and services. Accreditation focuses on achieving 154 standards across ten core areas of focus that consist of Agency Authority, Role and Responsibility; Planning; Organization and Administration; Human Resources; Financial Management; Programs and Services Management; Facility and Land Use Management; Public Safety, Law Enforcement and Security; Risk Management and Evaluation; Assessment and Research.
The process for accreditation involves a formal application, self-assessments, and a site visit by a team of trained volunteers that results in a written report and a hearing with the commission to grant accreditation.
“I am very proud to share this honor and distinction with the City of Denton, but also commend our Parks and Recreation staff for their steadfast commitment to our community,” says Sara Hensley, City Manager. “One of the many reasons that makes Denton special is that there is something for everyone, and receiving this accreditation demonstrates that we are delivering services for all residents at the highest professional standard.”
Denton’s Parks and Recreation Department is the fourth City agency to achieve national accreditation within its respective industry, joining the Denton Police Department, Denton Public Library, and the Denton Fire Department.
Contact: Dustin Sternbeck, (940) 349-8251, [email protected]
###
Visit www.cityofdenton.com for more news and to stay updated.