The Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department has earned national recognition by receiving accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). The achievement was announced at the National Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA) Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida. CAPRA, considered the gold standard in parks and recreation, places Palm Beach County among the nation’s top-ranked agencies in the field, as per the county's announcement.
Palm Beach County now sits pretty in an exclusive club of just 220 accredited agencies nationwide—that’s less than three percent for those without a calculator handy. “CAPRA Accreditation is more than an award; it’s a promise to our community that Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation will continue leading with excellence and providing opportunities for healthy, happy living, today and for the future,” Jennifer Cirillo, the department's director, alluded in a statement obtained by the county's website.
This achievement was far from easy. Over four years, the department underwent a rigorous review, meeting 154 national standards covering areas such as planning, policies, staffing, and community engagement. Nearly 900 pieces of evidence were submitted to demonstrate compliance, with every division working diligently to meet the high standards required for CAPRA accreditation.
For residents of Palm Beach County, the accreditation signals more than just recognition for their Parks and Recreation Department. It underscores the quality of the county’s parks and recreational services, drawing attention from potential funders and earning the confidence of community members, from families to local sports leagues. "Palm Beach County is now part of a leading network of park and recreation agencies nationwide," said County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo, as noted by the same release.
