On March 14, 2008 the City of Orange Beach Parks and Recreation Department became one of only seventy-three agencies in the country to have received national accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). This distinguished accomplishment was announced in Washington, DC at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Midyear Governance Meeting.
The process of accreditation is extensive and took several years to accomplish. After the initial application, the agency completed a detailed self-assessment report followed by a visit to the City of Orange Beach 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 March 14, 2008. The accreditation process for the City of Orange Beach Parks and Recreation Department started four years ago with the initial application. After countless hours of internal evaluation of all department policies, procedures and operation plans, the City had its official site visit in November 2007. That site visit prompted additional review of the city?s operations and formalizing procedures within the department and final adoption of policy and procedures by the City Council in January of 2008. ?I want to commend the core accreditation team that included Recreation Specialist Renee Eberly, Recreation Coordinator Angela Bateman and Senior Programs Coordinator Carolyn Vines. They worked tirelessly to achieve accreditation and never wavered from their commitment to seeing us through this process. I also want to commend all of my managers, coordinators and staff who work hard every day to provide the residents of Orange Beach with the highest quality of service possible. In addition I want to thank Orange Beach City Administrator Jeff Moon, Mayor Pete Blalock and the City Council for their daily support and their ongoing efforts to ensure that we can provide the best parks and recreation facilities and services possible? said Preston Pooser, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Orange Beach.
Accreditation provides evaluation from an outside / unbiased source. It identifies areas for improvement within the department, by comparing our department against national standards of best practices. The accreditation process requires an ongoing internal review of our policies and procedures and helps document every aspect of the department. Accreditation validates to the public that we are a well-administered department that meets and exceeds national standards.
?I am overjoyed for Preston and his entire staff on being the first parks and recreation department in the state of Alabama to be nationally accredited. Obtaining this prestigious goal shows the hard work, dedication, and personal achievement of all parks and recreation employees? noted Mayor Pete Blalock. He adds ?this national accomplishment will positively impact every other department of the city who also made improvements to their internal policies as a result of this process. Orange Beach, Alabama can now boast of our uniqueness through our programs, facilities and management which directly results in a truly special quality of life which is a critical factor for economic development throughout Baldwin County. This dedication should make all Orange Beach citizens proud.?
National accreditation requires park and recreation agencies to respond to 155 standards representing elements of effective and efficient park and recreation operations. To become accredited, agencies must demonstrate their ability to meet 36 fundamental standards and 85% of all other standards. Director of Parks and Recreation, Preston Pooser attended the Commission hearing and was notified that the City of Orange Beach Parks and Recreation Department received accreditation. ?We?ve always known we have a great Parks and Recreation Department, but it?s always nice to get outside affirmation of this fact. We are extremely proud of the work that Preston and his entire team and department did in meeting this goal? said Jeff Moon, City Administrator.
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 for Physical Activity and Recreation, the Armed Forces Recreation Society, and the Council of State Executive Directors.
For further information on the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies, contact:
National Recreation and Park Association
James O?Connor, Accreditation Manager
22377 Belmont Ridge Road
Ashburn, VA 20148
Phone: (703) 858-2150
E-mail: joconnor@nrpa.org
