Parks & Recreation Department
Durham Parks and Recreation Earns National Accreditation
Durham is the Fifth Agency in North Carolina to Achieve this Honor
On May 11-15, 2008, three members of the visitation team from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) arrived in Durham for a four-day, on-site assessment. The visitation team is from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), which was established by the NRPA to implement and administer its national accreditation program. The primary purpose of the visit was to both clarify and verify information submitted by DPR in order report back to CAPRA regarding DPR’s accreditation request.
This distinguished accomplishment was announced in Baltimore, Maryland at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) 2008 Congress and Exposition.
Accreditation validates to the public that DPR is a well-administered department that meets and exceeds national standards. The accreditation process identifies areas for improvement within the department, by comparing DPR against national standards of best practices which ultimately means improved services to Durham and its customers.
Rhonda B. Parker, director, Joy Guy, assistant director of administration, and Gina Morais, accreditation coordinator, of Durham Parks and Recreation accepted the National Accreditation Recognition Award during the annual CAPRA reception on October 15. "This is a distinct honor which we are all proud to receive," said Parker. "We are specifically pleased that meeting the standards set by CAPRA yield a better quality of service to the citizens of Durham."
The process of accreditation is extensive and took several years to accomplish. After the initial application, DPR completed a detailed self-assessment report followed by a visit to Durham by a team of experienced park and recreation professionals. Finally, a review was conducted by CAPRA and accreditation was formally conferred by the commission on October 14.
National accreditation requires park and recreation agencies to access their operations against 155 standards that represent elements of effective and efficient park and recreation procedures. There are 36 standards that must be met by all agencies regardless of the agency size or number of staff. Durham met 152 of the 155 standards. DPR did an excellent job exceeding the minimum qualifications of the 138 standards in becoming an accredited agency.
The commission is comprised of representatives from the National Recreation and Park Association, the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials, the International City/County Managers Association, the American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation, the Armed Forces Recreation Society, and the Council of State Executive Directors.
For additional information, call Gina Morais, recreation business manager at (919) 560-4355.
About Accreditation
Parks and recreation agencies are accredited through the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). Accreditation is certification of compliance to a specific set of standards.
Former City Manager Patrick Baker, Gina Morais and a visitor.
DPR staff meet with visitors
Visitors talk with DPR Advisory Group members.
Accreditation Quick Facts
Benefits of Accreditation
Accreditation Process
The Next Steps in the Process
Special Thanks
Visitation Team Sponsors
Accreditation Quick Facts
- There are 155 standards.
- 36 fundamental standards must be met.
- 85 percent (101) of the remaining standards must be met.
- 137 standards total are required for accreditation.
There are 155 standards broken down into 10 scopes.
- 1.0 - Agency Authority, Role and Responsibility
- 2.0 - Planning
- 3.0 - Organization and Administration
- 4.0 - Human Resources
- 5.0 - Finance (Fiscal Management)
- 6.0 - Programming and Services Determinants
- 7.0 - Facility and Land Use Planning
- 8.0 - Public Safety and Security
- 9.0 - Rick Management
- 10. - Evaluative Research
Benefits of Accreditation
Prestige, credibility
+ Improved processes – "best practices"
+ Improved documentation
+ Supporting detail for grants, sponsorships, and partnerships
+ Seamless transfer of responsibility
+ Recruitment of employees
= Quality and efficiency in service delivery
Accreditation Process
On May 11-15, 2008, three members of the visitation team from the National Parks and Recreation Association (NPRA) arrived in Durham for a four-day, on-site assessment. The visitation team is from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), which was established by the NPRA to implement and administer its national accreditation program. The primary purpose of the visit was to both clarify and verify information submitted by DPR in order report back to CAPRA regarding DPR’s accreditation request.
Durham Parks and Recreation did very well during its CAPRA visit. The visitation team was comprised of recreation professionals from New Mexico, Florida, and Virginia. They spent three days reviewing the documentation compiled by DPR as evidence of compliance for the 155 standards identified by CAPRA.
The team is recommending the department for accreditation to CAPRA, reporting that DPR has met 151 of the 155 standards. Accreditation status will not be confirmed until approved by CAPRA at the annual NRPA Congress in October 2008.
Agencies accredited by these standards have demonstrated not only that they meet the standards for a quality operation but also that they have the professional competence, commitment and the community support to complete the rigorous accreditation process.
The visitors were very pleased with the attention to detail and organization of information prepared as evidence. DPR offered many opportunities for the team to meet our City Council, Recreation Advisory Commission members, community partners, as well as City and departmental staff. They visited Edison Johnson, Duke Park Maintenance Area, Campus Hills and West Point on the Eno. Each complimented DPR staff saying, "DPR employees were helpful," "DPR employees were knowledgeable," and "DPR employees were happy."
Special Thanks!
DPR’s Team Leaders
Gina Morais, accreditation coordinator
Rhonda Parker, steering committee
Joy Guy, steering committee
Beth Gessner, report editor
Mal Atkinson
Rosalie Bocelli-Hernandez
Sinoda Brown
Tammy Brown
Jeff Forde
Rich Hahn
Sarah Hogan
Kim Oberle
Barbara Richardson
Annette Smith
Beth Timson
Ruben Wall
Visitation Team Sponsors
Special thanks to the visitation team sponsors:
Gold Sponsor
The Durham Bulls Baseball Organization
Silver Sponsors
Sheraton Imperial Hotel
Intimate Affairs Catering
Bronze Sponsors
St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation
Friends of the Department
Panera Bread (Witherspoon Rd.)
Devine’s Bar and Corner Grill
Priddyboy’s Sandwiches
Starbucks (Guess Rd.)
Starbucks (Mt. Moriah Rd.)
Kroger (Hillsborough Rd.)
Trekeyta Easley
NOSH
Huey’s Catering
The Q-Shack