The City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department (BPR) is officially part of the upper echelon of park services, having just snagged a national accreditation that puts them in the elite top 2% of agencies across Uncle Sam's land. The Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) has deemed BPR worthy in recognition of its operational excellence and community service chops. No small feat, this accolade follows a rigorous review and proves to naysayers that yes, Boulder does indeed know how to manage a stellar park system.
According to the City of Boulder, BPR managed to not just meet, but also to beautifully exceed a whopping 98% of the 154 standards set by CAPRA. These standards aren't just a series of box-ticking exercises, but represent a commitment to continuously improve and serve the community with responsiveness and accountability. It's all about embedding high-quality performance into their daily grind and long-term plans. No resting on laurels here, as they’ve got to reapply in five years to keep the accreditation badge shining.
It's not just about dotting the 'i's and crossing the 't's; these folks have shown a fail-safe dedication to equity and inclusion, per the CAPRA visitation team. "BPR’s dedication to inclusivity stood out as a defining strength. The team is unwavering in its support of community members from all backgrounds, ages and cultures, ensuring that their programs are accessible and welcoming to all," the CAPRA team sang in praise, as per the City of Boulder. Measures like their EXPAND Program, which offers therapeutic recreation for people with disabilities, showcase BPR’s commitment to serving every facet of their community.
The Director of Parks and Recreation, Ali Rhodes, expressed pride in their team's achievement and emphasized the promise to keep looking for ways to make it even better. "Accreditation holds us accountable to our mission, assuring our community that their tax dollars are going to a well-run parks and recreation system," Rhodes stated, as obtained by the City of Boulder. With this recognition, Boulder Parks and Rec is committing to staying on its toes, always striving for the crème de la crème of park management. Although they're now one of only 231 accredited agencies, it’s merely a launchpad to continue to grow and evolve.
