Riverdale, Md. – The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) has been re-accredited as a nationally recognized agency by the Commission for the Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), a program administered by the National Recreation and Park Association. This prestigious recognition places M-NCPPC’s Park and Recreation Departments among the top 3% of agencies across the country.
M-NCPPC, the governing body for Montgomery Parks and the M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County, jointly stewards 66,000 acres of land and delivers high-quality recreational programs and park amenities across both counties.
CAPRA is the only national accreditation program for parks and recreation agencies.
To earn accreditation, agencies must meet 154 rigorous standards in areas such as agency management, sustainability and environmental stewardship, community involvement in strategic planning, and equitable delivery of programs and facilities including compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The accreditation process includes comprehensive self-assessments and on-site evaluation by trained CAPRA professionals. Agencies are encouraged to review and refine their operations to ensure the highest level of service to the community. Accredited agencies submit annual reports and undergo a complete review every five years. M-NCPPC was last re-accredited in 2020. This accreditation will last five years and expire in 2030.
“Receiving the CAPRA reaccreditation is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence, transparency, and community service,” Darryl Barnes, Chairman of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the Prince George’s County Planning Board. “This achievement reflects our dedication to national standards and reinforces our promise to deliver the gold standard in customer care for every resident.”
“We are so proud to once again earn accreditation from CAPRA,” said Artie Harris, chair of the Montgomery County Planning Board. “This distinction affirms that our agency meets the highest standards for parks and recreation and offers services and parks that improve the quality of life in our community. I’m proud of our team’s work in ensuring that our parks are accessible to residents of all ages, abilities, and interests while at the same time serving as a trailblazer for sustainable efforts.”
CAPRA is comprised of representatives from several leading organizations, including 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.
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.
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