10/01/26

County Parks Earns CAPRA Reaccreditation

Another milestone on the trail! County Parks and Recreation has once again earned national recognition, receiving reaccreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) during the National Recreation and Park Association's Best of the Best Ceremony on Sept. 29.

Often called the gold standard for parks and recreation agencies, CAPRA accreditation recognizes organizations that provide exceptional services, operate with strong management practices, and stay committed to serving their communities.

"This achievement reflects the passion and dedication our team brings to County Parks every day," said Jason Hemmens, Director of County Parks and Recreation. "From creating memorable outdoor experiences to protecting the natural spaces and wildlife that make San Diego County special, we're committed to providing high-quality parks, programs and services for everyone."

Earning reaccreditation is no small feat. Earlier this year, County Parks participated in a five-day virtual review conducted by a CAPRA Commission Review Team. The team evaluated documentation and operations across 154 national standards covering everything from planning and policies to staffing, recreation programming and community engagement.

County Parks met all 154 standards, earning a perfect score.

In its summary report, the Commission Review Team praised the department's preparation, professionalism and commitment to excellence in parks and recreation services, recommending continued accreditation.

The review also recognized County Parks as a model for several key standards, including employee orientation and organizational culture, risk management and recreation programming.

One area that especially stood out was community engagement. Reviewers highlighted the department's efforts to connect with residents through recreation planning, outreach programs, marketing, volunteer opportunities and public participation initiatives.

This national recognition reflects what visitors, volunteers and community members experience every day across the park system: a commitment to creating meaningful outdoor adventures, caring for natural resources and making parks welcoming places for all.

Whether you're exploring a scenic trail, joining a community event or discovering a new favorite park, County Parks is proud to help connect people with nature, recreation and each other.