“CAPRA Accreditation is more than an award; it’s a promise to our community that Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation will continue leading with excellence and providing opportunities for healthy, happy living, today and for the future,” said Jennifer Cirillo, Director of Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation.
The multi-year process to achieve accreditation required demonstrating compliance with 154 rigorous national standards across every area of operations, including planning, policies, procedures, staffing, programming and community engagement. Over the past four years, the department has developed nearly 900 evidence-of-compliance documents to meet these standards, an effort supported by staff from every division.
CAPRA accreditation is considered the gold standard in the field of parks and recreation. It provides a quality assurance and management framework that improves efficiency, strengthens teamwork and embeds a culture of continuous improvement across the department.
For Palm Beach County residents, this recognition means their parks and recreation system meets national standards of excellence, enhances the county’s reputation, strengthens funding opportunities and demonstrates responsiveness to community needs.
“Palm Beach County is now part of a leading network of park and recreation agencies nationwide,” added Palm Beach County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo. “This accreditation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and the strong support of our community.”
Building a Better Future - Strategic Planning, Innovation & National Accreditation
- The Path to Accreditation
Now more than ever, documenting and continuously improving best practices is critical. CAPRA Accreditation places our department among the top park and recreation agencies in the country, demonstrating excellence, accountability and a strong return on taxpayer investment. It strengthens stakeholder confidence, ensures our staff is recognized among the best, and prepares us for the future of our park system and community.
Since 2021, our department has been on a nearly three-year journey toward CAPRA accreditation, gathering and developing 895 evidence-of-compliance documents—spanning policies, plans, trainings, and procedures—to meet 154 rigorous standards. This effort, supported by representatives from every division, ensures we not only meet national benchmarks but also build a foundation for ongoing excellence.
- What is CAPRA?
The National Recreation and Park Association
(NRPA) Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) is the only national accreditation for park and recreation departments. It provides a quality assurance and operational management system that improves infrastructure, increases efficiency, and demonstrates accountability within communities. CAPRA accreditation strengthens teamwork, embeds best practices into internal culture, and establishes a mindset of continuous improvement for all department activities. For more information on the various standards, visit their website at www.nrpa.org/certification/accreditation/CAPRA/ [external link]
- What is the Impact of Being CAPRA Accredited?
For the Community: • Ensures PBC Parks meets national standards of excellence.
• Enhances the county’s reputation and strengthens funding opportunities.
• Demonstrates responsiveness to community needs.
For PBC Parks:
• Validates professional excellence to stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Improves efficiency, operations, and teamwork.
• Creates a culture of continuous evaluation and improvement.
Planning & Development InitiativesView the Parks and Recreation Department 2035 Master Plan, Needs Assessment and ADA Transition Plan
here.