Agenda 12/08/2020 Item #16D13 (Park & Rec's accreditation)12/08/2020
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to recognize the Collier County Parks and Recreation Division for earning their
fourth National Recreation and Park Association Accreditation in Parks and Recreation as part of
the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies.
OBJECTIVE: To recognize the Collier County Parks and Recreation Division for earning their fourth
National Accreditation in Parks and Recreation.
CONSIDERATIONS:, In 2004, the Collier County Parks and Recreation Division joined the ranks of
elite park and recreation agencies across the country by earning formal accreditation through the
Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation
and Park Association (NRPA). The Parks Division subsequently achieved re-accreditation in 2009, 2014
and most recently in 2019. This distinguished accomplishment was announced during the 2020 NRPA
Annual Conference this past October.
CAPRA accreditation is the only national accreditation for park and recre ation 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 rigorous standards related to the management and
administration of lands, facilities, resources, programs, safety, and services. According to the NRPA,
there are more than 9,600 municipal parks agencies presently in the United States. Only 172 (or 1,8%) of
them are currently accredited.
As part of the accreditation process, Collier County Parks and Recreation Division demonstrated
compliance with one-hundred and fifty-one (151) recognized standards and documented policies and
procedures. The accreditation process, serves to identify efficiencies and heighten areas of accountability,
all of which translate into higher quality service and operation to benefit the community in the delivery of
park and recreation services. The Collier County Parks and Recreation Division met all one-hundred and
fifty-one (151) standards identified in this process. Less than 10% of the accredited agencies currently
meet 100% of these standards. Based on these facts, one could argue that Collier County Florida has the
best run Parks Division in the entire country.
Accreditation involves a formal application, self-assessments, a site visit by a team of trained visitors that
result in a written report, and a hearing with the commission to grant accreditation. Due to the COVID -19
pandemic, this year's visitations were held virtually. Once accredited, the agenc y must uphold the
standards by submitting an annual report and is reviewed again in five (5) years.
The Commission is comprised of representatives from NRPA, the American Academy for Park and
Recreation Administration, the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials, the
International City/County Management Association, the Academy for Leisure Sciences, the Armed
Forces Recreation Network, and the Council of State Executive Directors.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no Fiscal impact related to this action.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no impact to the Growth Management Plan related to
this action.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, raises no legal
issues, and requires majority vote for Board action. -JAK
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RECOMMENDATION: To recognize the Collier County Parks and Recreation Division for earning
their Fourth National Accreditation in Parks and Recreation.
Prepared By: Matthew Catoe, Operations Analyst, Public Services Department
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COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.D.13
Doc ID: 14225
Item Summary: Recommendation to recognize the Collier County Parks and Recreation Division
for earning their fourth National Recreation and Park Association Accreditation in Parks and Recreation
as part of the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies.
Meeting Date: 12/08/2020
Prepared by:
Title: Operations Analyst – Parks & Recreation
Name: Matthew Catoe
11/12/2020 10:14 AM
Submitted by:
Title: Division Director - Parks & Recreation – Parks & Recreation
Name: Barry Williams
11/12/2020 10:14 AM
Approved By:
Review:
Parks & Recreation Ilonka Washburn Additional Reviewer Completed 11/16/2020 7:08 AM
Parks & Recreation Barry Williams Additional Reviewer Completed 11/19/2020 8:39 AM
Operations & Veteran Services Kimberley Grant Level 1 Reviewer Completed 11/19/2020 11:31 AM
Public Services Department Todd Henry Level 1 Division Reviewer Completed 11/20/2020 1:26 PM
Public Services Department Steve Carnell Level 2 Division Administrator Review Completed 11/21/2020 9:14 AM
Office of Management and Budget Debra Windsor Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 11/23/2020 8:21 AM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 11/23/2020 9:07 AM
Budget and Management Office Ed Finn Additional Reviewer Completed 11/24/2020 10:57 AM
County Manager's Office Sean Callahan Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 11/30/2020 10:43 AM
Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 12/08/2020 9:00 AM
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