The City of Pearland joins the ranks of elite park and recreation agencies across the country by earning accreditation for the third time through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The City of Pearland was initially awarded this distinguished accomplishment in 2013 and has since successfully achieved reaccreditation in 2018 and 2023. 

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, the City of Pearland 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 very proud that our organization has been CAPRA accredited for 10 years and just received re-accreditation for the third time. Being accredited means holding ourselves accountable to highest standards of service for our community. It signifies our dedication to providing the best facilities and recreational programs and that our services align with the best practices in the field.  This accreditation isn’t just a badge; it’s a testament to our passion for creating exceptional experiences and enriching the lives of everyone we serve,” said Carry Capers, Pearland Parks & Recreation Director.   

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 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. 

For more information about CAPRA accreditation, visit nrpa.org/CAPRA.  

To learn more about NRPA, visit nrpa.org. 

About Pearland Parks & Recreation 

The vision of Pearland Parks & Recreation is to be the leader in providing quality services that connect the community through people, parks and programs. The department is dedicated to multiplying the Q4 factor: quality facilities, quality programs and quality service for your quality of life. More than one thousand programs, events and activities are planned and produced by the department every year, in service to the City of Pearland and surrounding communities. Pearland Parks & Recreation is a CAPRA accredited agency.   

About the National Recreation and Park Association 

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and advocates — the catalysts for positive change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit parksandrecreation.org.