County parks again receive national accreditation

Westchester County’s parks have for the fifth time received accreditation by the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA). NRPA operates the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). NRPA describes CAPRA as providing the only national accreditation of park and recreation departments and a valuable measure of a department’s overall quality of operation, management, and service to the community.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “This national accreditation by the NRPA is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a parks system and sets it apart from thousands of other parks systems throughout the nation.”

According to Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, “Our parks are vital to Westchester’s residents. They provide green spaces for recreation, exercise and relaxation. They also promote environmental conservation and foster community connections. We are extremely proud to have been accredited once again by the NRPA.”

Latimer said that Westchester was the first county in New York state to receive accreditation for its parks. That took place in 2003. Nationwide, only 71 agencies have been accredited since the program was introduced by NRPA in 1994. Westchester has more than 18,000 acres of parkland, which include more than 50 facilities ranging from golf courses, pools and beaches, to trails and nature centers.

County Parks Commissioner Kathy O’Connor said, “We will continue to provide the best in parks services to our residents by measuring and comparing our standards as outlined by NRPA. The process and outcome is worth the effort to provide the finest we can to those who enjoy our magnificent parks system.”

O’Connor noted that the team from NRPA that evaluated the county’s park system was extremely positive in the preliminary feedback provided to the county.

“Not only were they very impressed by the scope and breadth of our facilities and services, but they were equally impressed by what they said was the pride, morale and dedication displayed by the staff members that they came in contact with during their visit,” O’Connor said.