The Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) recognizes park and recreation agencies for excellence in operation and service. The City of Arlington Parks and Recreation Department was officially accepted as a CAPRA accredited agency on Oct. 13, 2014 at the NRPA Congress in Charlotte, NC.

Arlington is proud to join eight other accredited cities from the State of Texas. The department underwent an exhaustive application process, and adhered to a strict code of standards, in order to achieve this recognition.

"After a 6-month application process, three team members from CAPRA flew to Arlington to perform an analysis of our facilities and processes over the course of three days," Assistant Director Gary Packan said. "The team conducted an on-site review of the department's self-assessment report as well as visiting with staff and city administration."

Following the successful on-site visit, the department appeared before the CAPRA board at NRPA Congress for a successful, final evaluation.

The Arlington Parks and Recreation Department joins a mere 119 parks and recreation agencies in the nation who are CAPRA accredited. This momentous achievement is due to the dedication and professionalism of the department staff that forms the backbone of our award-winning department.

It's no surprise to us. We have a great parks system here in Arlington, Texas. We are proud to serve the community in the future as a CAPRA accredited agency.

Several City of Arlington departments have also received accreditations, re-accreditations and recognitions, showing the City's dedication to national standards:

• Emergency Management Accreditation program (Fire)
• Commission Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (9-1-1 Dispatch Center), Police and Police Training Center
• Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (Police Training Center)
• American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (Police's Crime Scene Investigation Unit)
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality - Superior Rating (Water)
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality - Superior System (Water)
• Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (Water)
• Texas Comptroller's Leadership Circle - Platinum Member (City of Arlington)
• National Procurement Institute, Inc. (Finance's Purchasing Office)
• ProLiteracy (Library's Adult Literacy Program)
• Texas State Library and Archives Commission (Library)
• Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary Golf Course (Parks and Recreation's Meadowbrook Golf Course, Lake Arlington Golf Course, Tierra Verde Golf Club and Ditto Golf Course)
• Audubon Signature Sports Center (Parks and Recreation's MLK Sports Complex)
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Arlington Housing Authority)
• American Public Works Association (Public Works and Transportation)
• Government Accountability Office (City Auditor's Office)