CARY ’s PARKS, RECREATION & cULTURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT earns PERFECT MARKS ON NATIONAL reACCREDITATION

Cary is one of only 73 agencies to be nationally accredited in the country

CARY, NC – The Town of Cary’s Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department renewed its status as the only agency in the Triangle and only one of 73 agencies in the United States to have received national accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA).   Cary met 100 percent of the 155 standards that have been established by the CAPRA to evaluate agencies in such areas as Resource Management, Land Use Planning, Program and Services Management, Evaluation and Research. Thirty-six of the 155 standards are required of all agencies; an agency must comply with at least 85 percent of the remaining standards to be granted accreditation.  Cary ’s PRCR Department first received the accreditation in 2003 and must be revisited to ensure compliance.

“As this award demonstrates, we remain dedicated to setting and achieving goals that will strengthen the quality of life for Cary citizens,” said Town Manager Bill Coleman.  Coleman also noted that the Town’s Police and Fire departments are nationally accredited.

“We’re honored to once again receive this national recognition,” said Mary Henderson.  “The accreditation process gives us the opportunity to look at our current operations and procedures in detail and see what is working well and where improvements can be made.”  

The Commission is comprised of representatives from the National Recreation and Park Association, the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials, the International City/County Managers Association, American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation, the Armed Forces Recreation Society, and the Council of State Executive Directors.

The Commission previously granted accreditation status to Asheville , Greensboro and Salisbury , NC .

The award was presented to Cary earlier this month in Washington , DC at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Midyear Governance Meeting.  

###