On Oct. 12, the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) earned its fourth-consecutive accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The achievement continues the FCPA’s standing as a nationally distinguished park and recreation agency over the last 15 years. The announcement was made at the 2023 Annual Conference of the NRPA in Dallas.

The Park Authority initially earned national accreditation in 2008, received re-accreditation in 2013 and 2018, and once again met 154 national standards to earn this designation.

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, FCPA demonstrated compliance with 154 recognized performance and operations standards. Often the process helps identify efficiencies and heighten areas of accountability, all of which translate into higher quality service and operation to benefit the community.

“Achieving accreditation truly is a prestigious achievement. It doesn’t just happen by coincidence, and to have achieved yet another perfect score is just a reflection of the phenomenal work of our staff, leadership and members of the Park Authority Board.” Commented FCPA Executive Director Jai Cole. “Together, our team shares a common commitment and understanding of just how important our work is and that it plays a significant role in the physical, intellectual, emotional and social wellbeing of the more than 1 million residents who call Fairfax County home.”

The process for accreditation involves self-assessments, a site visit by a team of trained visitors that results in a written report, and a hearing with the commission to grant accreditation. Once accredited, the agency must uphold the standards by submitting an annual report and is reviewed again in five years. For more information about CAPRA accreditation, visit the CAPRA website.

For more information about the Fairfax County Park Authority, visit its website.