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LITTLE ROCK PARKS AND RECREATION RETAINS NATIONAL ACCREDITATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :
Monday, Oct 16, 2006
Monday, Oct 16, 2006
Media Release
City of Little Rock Public Relations (501) 371-6801
Truman Tolefree, Director Little Rock Parks & Recreation 501-371-4770
Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies Praises City
(Little Rock, AR—October 16, 2006) On October 11, the City of Little Rock’s Parks and Recreation Department was accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). This accomplishment was announced in Seattle at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Annual Congress.
The process of accreditation is extensive and took several years to accomplish. After the initial application, Little Rock Parks & Recreation completed a detailed self-assessment report. This was followed by Little Rock hosting a site visit of experienced park and recreation professionals. Finally a review was conducted by CAPRA and accreditation was formally conferred.
According to Truman Tolefree, Little Rock Parks & Recreation Director, “National accreditation requires park and recreation agencies to respond to 155 standards representing elements of effective and efficient park and recreation operations.” He continued, “To become accredited, agencies must demonstrate their ability to meet 36 fundamental standards and 85% of all other standards.”
Tolefree attended the CAPRA hearing in Seattle and was joined by Little Rock Mayor Jim Dailey and Assistant City Manager Bryan Day. Mayor Dailey praised the Little Rock Parks and Recreation staff and the Parks Commission. “This achievement was made possible because of the dedicated men and women we have working to offer a wide variety of parks and recreation experiences to the Citizens of Little Rock,” said Mayor Dailey.
In 2003, when the department was first accredited, it was the 30th agency in the country to achieve this. Today there are 66 agencies nationwide that are accredited. CAPRA is composed of representatives from the National Recreation and Park Association, the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, and 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.
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(Little Rock, AR—October 16, 2006) On October 11, the City of Little Rock’s Parks and Recreation Department was accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). This accomplishment was announced in Seattle at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Annual Congress.
The process of accreditation is extensive and took several years to accomplish. After the initial application, Little Rock Parks & Recreation completed a detailed self-assessment report. This was followed by Little Rock hosting a site visit of experienced park and recreation professionals. Finally a review was conducted by CAPRA and accreditation was formally conferred.
According to Truman Tolefree, Little Rock Parks & Recreation Director, “National accreditation requires park and recreation agencies to respond to 155 standards representing elements of effective and efficient park and recreation operations.” He continued, “To become accredited, agencies must demonstrate their ability to meet 36 fundamental standards and 85% of all other standards.”
Tolefree attended the CAPRA hearing in Seattle and was joined by Little Rock Mayor Jim Dailey and Assistant City Manager Bryan Day. Mayor Dailey praised the Little Rock Parks and Recreation staff and the Parks Commission. “This achievement was made possible because of the dedicated men and women we have working to offer a wide variety of parks and recreation experiences to the Citizens of Little Rock,” said Mayor Dailey.
In 2003, when the department was first accredited, it was the 30th agency in the country to achieve this. Today there are 66 agencies nationwide that are accredited. CAPRA is composed of representatives from the National Recreation and Park Association, the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, and 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.
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