Mid City Times

The City of Fort Worth Park & Recreation Department has achieved national accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). This recognition was awarded during the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference.

CAPRA accreditation is recognized as a benchmark for quality in park and recreation agency operations, management, and service to the community. It indicates that the Fort Worth Park & Recreation Department meets rigorous standards in managing lands, facilities, resources, programs, safety, and services.

To earn this distinction, the department complied with 151 recognized standards and documented all policies and procedures. The process highlights efficiency and elevates accountability, resulting in improved service quality for the Fort Worth community.

“This accreditation is a tremendous honor for the City of Fort Worth and our Park & Recreation team,” said Richard Zavala, director of the Fort Worth Park & Recreation Department. “It reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering the highest quality parks, programs and services to our residents. Achieving this national recognition reinforces our dedication to the well-being of our community and the preservation of our city’s treasured outdoor spaces.”

The accreditation process involves a formal application, self-assessment, a site visit by trained volunteers who produce a written report, followed by a final hearing with the commission.

The commission includes representatives from NRPA, various park administration associations, city management groups, leisure sciences organizations, military recreation networks, state executive councils, ethnic minority societies in recreation fields, state park directors associations, and therapeutic recreation associations.