City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Earns National Accreditation

Bloomington, Ind.—At the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) annual conference Sept. 15 in Orlando, Fla., the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department officially received re-accreditation by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). 

Bloomington Parks and Recreation is one of only three parks departments in Indiana and 213 nationwide to earn accredited status. The Department was first accredited in 2001 and was successfully re-accredited in 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021. 

CAPRA accreditation is the only national accreditation for park and recreation 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. 

As part of the accreditation process, Parks and Recreation demonstrated compliance with 68 recognized standards and documented all policies and procedures. The process often helps identify efficiencies and heighten areas of accountability, all of which translate into higher-quality service and operations that benefit the community. 

"Reaccreditation is more than a mark of distinction. It’s a reflection of our department’s unwavering commitment to excellence," said Leslie Brinson, Recreation Services Division Director. "CAPRA accreditation demonstrates that we not only hold ourselves to the highest professional standards each day, but also recognize our responsibility to serve the community with integrity, transparency, and exceptional parks and recreation services." 

“This recognition reflects the heart of our Parks and Recreation Department—their dedication to building a community that not only uses our parks, but loves them and takes pride in them,” said Mayor Kerry Thomson. “Accreditation honors the daily work that often goes unseen: thoughtful design, accessible trails, well-run programs, and the quiet kindness of staff and volunteers who make everyone feel welcome. That’s the real measure of a parks system—how it serves people, every day, in every season.” 

The accreditation process involves a formal application, self-assessments, a site visit by a team of trained volunteers that results in a written report, and a hearing with CAPRA to grant accreditation. 

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, the Council of State Executive Directors, The National Recreation and Park Ethnic Minority Society, The National Association of State Park Directors, and the American Therapeutic Recreation Association.

 For more information about CAPRA and the accreditation process, visit https://bton.in/XrVXx. 

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About Bloomington Parks and Recreation 

The City of Bloomington, Indiana Parks and Recreation Department manages more than 2,300 acres of parkland and trails, and offers a wide variety of programs, events, and services that enrich the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Learn more at bloomington.in.gov/parks. 

About the National Recreation and Park Association 

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and supporters — the catalysts for positive change in service of parks for all, environmental resilience, and overall health and well-being. 

For more information, visit nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, “Parks & Recreation,” visit parksandrecreation.org. 

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