For Immediate Release:
January 14, 2021
Media Contacts:
Chanda Washington, Division Chief
Public Affairs and Marketing Division
M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County
Mobile: 240-565-2584 Direct: 301-446-3305
Chanda.Washington@pgparks.org
Melissa Chotiner
Media Relations and Community Engagement Manager
Montgomery Parks
C: 202-351-9063 O: 301-650-2866
Melissa.Chotiner@MontgomeryParks.org
M-NCPPC Earns National Accreditation in Parks and Recreation
Mark of distinction recognizes commitment to highest level of service to the Montgomery and Prince George’s communities
Riverdale, MD -- Today, The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) joins the ranks of elite park and recreation agencies across the country by earning national accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The agency, which serves as the governing body for Montgomery Parks and the Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County, previously earned this distinguished accomplishment in 2004, 2009, and 2014.
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.
“We are proud to once again earn accreditation from CAPRA – the industry standard for excellence in parks and recreation,” said Casey Anderson, Chair of M-NCPPC and of the Montgomery Planning Board. “The parks and recreation programs we provide in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties have a tremendous impact on the lives of all residents providing opportunities for people to be active and social in locations across the county. We are pleased to have such a vital role in the communities we serve.”
“As stewards of natural, cultural, and historic resources, we continue to demonstrate our promise to making Montgomery and Prince George’s counties attractive places to call home," said Elizabeth M. Hewlett, Vice-Chair of M-NCPPC and the Prince George’s County Planning Board. “We are committed to providing enriching programming and stellar recreational services that meet the needs of all the communities we serve, especially in these challenging times resulting from the global spread of the COVID-19 virus.”
As part of the accreditation process, M-NCPPC had to demonstrate compliance with 151 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.
The process for accreditation involves a formal application, self-assessments, a site visit by a team of trained visitors that results in a written report, and a hearing with the commission to grant accreditation. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's visitations were held virtually. Once accredited, the agency must uphold the standards by submitting an annual report and is reviewed again in five years.
CAPRA 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, and the Council of State Executive Directors.
For more information about CAPRA accreditation, visit www.nrpa.org/CAPRA.
About The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a bi-county agency empowered by the State of Maryland in 1927 to acquire, develop, maintain, and administer a regional system of parks within Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, and to provide land use planning for the physical development of Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. In addition, the agency gained responsibility for the public recreation program in Prince George’s County in 1970. The governing body of M-NCPPC consists of 10 members, five appointed by Montgomery County and five by Prince George’s County. The commission coordinates and acts on matters of interest to both counties and meets at least once a month. The members of the commission from each county serve on separate county planning boards to facilitate, review and administer the matters affecting their respective counties.
Accessibility
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice/TTY), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org to request a disability modification. Visit MontgomeryParks.org/access for more information.