On September 26, 2018, Canton Leisure Services was recognized for excellence in the field of parks and recreation management by receiving re-accreditation and remaining one of only 171 agencies in the country currently holding national accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). This distinguished accomplishment was announced in Indianapolis, Indiana during the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) 2018 Congress and Legislative Forum.
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.
The process of re-accreditation is extensive and takes approximately one year to accomplish. Accreditation is based on an agency’s compliance with the 151 standards for national accreditation. CAPRA accreditation includes three phases after the application process: development of an agency self-assessment report, on-site peer review performed by a Commission-approved visitation team, and the Commission’s review and decision. To become accredited, agencies must comply with all 37 fundamental standards and must meet 95% of the remaining 114 standards.
“Accreditation continues to be a great management tool for our organization,” said Canton Leisure Services Director Greg Hohenberger, CPRP. “Attaining national accreditation is confirmation of our staff’s efforts to provide quality facilities, programs, and services throughout the Canton community.”
Canton Leisure Services, originally accredited in 2004, is currently one of only four CAPRA accredited agencies in the state of Michigan and was also previously re-accredited in 2008, and 2013. Accreditation is valid for a period of five years.
For more information on Canton Leisure Services’ CAPRA accreditation, please call 734/394-5360 or visit www.cantonfun.org.