Glenview Park District joins the ranks of elite park and recreation agencies across the country by earning accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). This distinguished accomplishment was awarded during the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference on Wednesday, October 11, in Dallas, Texas.

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, Glenview Park District had to demonstrate compliance with 154 recognized standards and document all policies and procedures. 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.

“We are honored to be recognized as one of only 206 park and recreation agencies who hold CAPRA accreditation nationwide and one of only nine agencies in Illinois,” said Glenview Park District Executive Director Michael McCarty. “We are excited to celebrate this accomplishment with our community.”

The process for accreditation involves a formal application, self-assessments, a site visit by a team of trained volunteers that results in a written report, and a hearing with the Commission to grant accreditation. The CAPRA team’s official visitation report noted the Glenview Park District’s knowledge, culture of teamwork and cohesive vision as key assets in helping to achieve accreditation.

The Commission is comprised of representatives from NRPA, the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials, the International City/County Management Association, The Academy for Leisure Sciences, the Armed Forces Recreation Network, the Council of State Executive Directors, The National Recreation and Park Ethnic Minority Society, The National Association of State Park Directors, and the American Therapeutic Recreation Association.

“This accreditation means so much to our Board of Commissioners,” said Dave Dillon, Park Board President. “We could not have achieved this honor without the amazing staff that make our parks, facilities, services and programming such an asset to our community.”