CAPRA Accreditation

The Town of Erie Parks and Recreation Department has joined an elite group of accredited agencies in 2012, 2017, and 2022. 

National accreditation through CAPRA is an extensive multi-year process, which includes the completion of an application and detailed self-assessment report, a site visit by a committee of leaders in the park and recreation profession, and a final assessment completed by the agency and CAPRA. Accreditation is valid for a period of five years. 

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 154 rigorous standards related to all areas of our operations: Administration, Planning, Organization, Human Resources, Finance, Programming, Facility and Land Use Management, Risk Management, Public Safety, and Evaluation. 

There are over 10,000 agencies in the United States who are eligible to apply for CAPRA accreditation. As of now, there are only 199 agencies who are accredited, resulting in less than 2% of all agencies with accreditation. Only ten park and recreation agencies in the State of Colorado, including Erie, are accredited.  

What is CAPRA Accreditation?

NRPA’s Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) Standards for national accreditation provide an authoritative assessment tool for park and recreation agencies. Through a process of peer verification of compliance with these national standards, CAPRA accreditation assures policymakers, department staff, and the general public that an accredited park and recreation agency has the operational capacity to deliver programs, facilities, and services at a high level of quality. While accreditation standards effectively distinguish between agencies that should and should not be accredited, they are not a guarantee of quality, safety, or ethical practice.

Benefits

• Assurance and validation of well-administered services in accord with industry best practices
• Potential cost savings and external financial support
• Ensured accountability to you - the community - and responsiveness to your needs
• Improved guest service and quality services
• Demonstrated commitment to you - our team, volunteers, guests, and community

Interested in learning more? View the CAPRA Standards.