On October 13, 2009 the City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities achieved reaccreditation by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies. The City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities is one of only eighty-eight park and recreation agencies in the country to currently hold national accreditation. This distinguished accomplishment was announced in Salt Lake City, UT at the National Recreation and Park Association 2009 Congress and Exposition.
The process of reaccreditation is extensive and took several years to accomplish. After the completing the application process, the agency developed a detailed self-assessment report followed by a visit to the City of Alexandria by a team of experienced park and recreation professionals. Finally, a review was conducted by CAPRA and reaccreditation was formally conferred by the Commission on October 13, 2009.
Every five years, an accredited agency must be thoroughly reviewed to ensure continued compliance with the accreditation standards that have been established by the Commission. These standards represent all areas of operation for parks and recreation departments. National accreditation requires park and recreation agencies to respond to 155 standards representing elements of effective and efficient operations. To become accredited, agencies must fully meet 36 standards deemed fundamental to a quality agency and at least 102 of the remaining standards. In total, the Departemnt of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities met 151 of the 155 standards.
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, American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation, the Armed Forces Recreation Society, and the Council of State Executive Directors.
Staff of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities will receive the Crystal Award for earning national accreditation before City Council at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8.
