To: Parks and Recreation Commission Members and Staff
From: Maia Yates, Special Project Analyst
Title
CAPRA Accreditation Update and Self-assessment Report
Body
________________________________________________________________________________
Executive Summary
The purpose of this agenda item is to provide commission members and staff with an update on the Town of Castle Rock Parks and Recreation Department’s CAPRA (Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies) reaccreditation process. This update includes completion and recent submission of the department’s CAPRA self-assessment report, as well as preparation for the upcoming hybrid site visit scheduled for the week of April 13-17, 2026.
CAPRA is the national accreditation program for park and recreation agencies, administered by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The program establishes a comprehensive set of national standards for planning, operations, administration, resource management, and service delivery, and is intended to promote quality assurance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
The Town of Castle Rock Parks and Recreation Department first achieved CAPRA accreditation in 2015 and participates in the reaccreditation process on a five-year cycle to maintain accredited status. Staff have completed the CAPRA self-assessment report for 2026, which documents how the department meets required standards and includes supporting evidence such as policies, plans, procedures, and operational records. The self-assessment report is housed in the department’s Knowledge Owl portal and serves as both a review tool for accreditation and a living resource for ongoing organizational improvement.
View the self-assessment report in Knowledge Owl here - <https://capra-template-castle-rock.knowledgeowl.com/docs/10>
Maintaining CAPRA accreditation demonstrates that the Town of Castle Rock Parks and Recreation Department meets nationally recognized standards and best practices. Accreditation supports organizational consistency, transparency, and accountability, and provides an external validation of department policies, operations, and service delivery. It also strengthens risk management practices, supports long-range planning efforts, and can enhance competitiveness for grants and partnerships.
Nationwide, there are currently just over 220 CAPRA-accredited park and recreation agencies, representing a small percentage of agencies across the United States. In Colorado, approximately a dozen agencies currently hold CAPRA accreditation, placing Castle Rock among a limited group of agencies statewide that meet these national standards.
The department submitted its CAPRA accreditation materials last week in accordance with the established accreditation timeline. A CAPRA review team has been assigned and a hybrid site visit is scheduled for April 13-17, 2026. During this visit, reviewers will validate documentation, conduct interviews with staff and stakeholders, and observe facilities and operations as part of the formal evaluation process.
The CAPRA accreditation process generally includes the following steps:
• Application and orientation to the accreditation program
• Completion and submission of a comprehensive self-assessment report
• Preliminary review by an assigned CAPRA review team
• Onsite, virtual, or hybrid site visit to verify compliance with standards
• Accreditation hearing held in conjunction with the NRPA Annual Conference, where final accreditation decisions are made
• Reaccreditation every five years to maintain accredited status
As the department prepares for the upcoming site visit and accreditation hearing, staff remain focused on demonstrating continued compliance with CAPRA standards while using the process as an opportunity for reflection and continuous improvement. This reaccreditation effort reinforces the department’s commitment to professional excellence, responsible stewardship of public resources, and delivery of high-quality parks and recreation services that meet the needs of the Castle Rock community.