MEMPHIS PARKS DIVISION EARNS NATIONAL ACCREDITATIONIN PARKS AND RECREATION

 The mark of distinction recognizes commitment to the highest level of service to the community

Memphis, Tenn. October 7, 2024. The City of Memphis Parks Division is now one of the nation’s top park and recreation agencies, earning accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).
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CAPRA accreditation, the only national accreditation for park and recreation agencies, is a rare and prestigious mark of an agency’s overall quality of operation, management, and service to the community. This distinction, earned by less than 1% of the 23,000 parks and recreation departments nationwide, signifies that an agency has met rigorous standards for managing and administrating lands, facilities, resources, programs, safety, and services.

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“The accreditation process forces a department to evaluate every process, every procedure, every interaction and make sure that you are following industry best practices and guidelines. In short, it helps us to be the best version of ourselves,” said Nick Walker,  Memphis Parks Director.
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Memphis is now one of three park systems in Tennessee with this prestigious designation and the only urban park system in our state with this accreditation. Memphis Parks manages over 150 sites, including parks, facilities, golf courses, trails, and playgrounds, comprising over 5,600 acres of land.
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“We believe all our residents deserve high-quality, inclusive spaces and programming; this accreditation is a testament to the community-benefiting work being done through our Memphis Parks,” said Memphis Mayor Paul Young.” I want to congratulate all the employees who worked so hard to achieve this designation.”

As part of the accreditation process, Memphis Parks had to demonstrate compliance with 154 recognized standards and document all policies and procedures. The process for accreditation is thorough and includes a formal application, self-assessment, site visit, and hearing with the Commission that grants accreditation. Memphis Parks must submit an annual report to continue certification and apply for re-accreditation in five years.
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For more information about Memphis Parks, visit  memphisparks.com
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For more information about CAPRA accreditation, visit nrpa.org/CAPRA.
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To learn more about NRPA, visit nrpa.org.