South Suburban has officially achieved accreditation by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), most recently in 2024 and first in 2019.

CAPRA is the only national accreditation of park and recreation agencies and is a valuable measure of an agency’s overall quality of operation, management, and service to the community.

What does this mean? South Suburban Park and Recreation District (SSPRD) is using best management practices established by experts in the parks and recreation industry. As a result, SSPRD is continuously reviewing operations, policies, and procedures to innovate and offer the best services for its residents and customers. CAPRA accreditation is a mark of excellence and demonstrates SSPRD’s commitment to providing quality programs, services and customer service.

“Earning this prestigious honor from NRPA validates our commitment to the South Suburban community,” said SSPRD Executive Director Rob Hanna. “Our staff worked tirelessly fine-tuning our operations to exceed residents’ expectations during the year-long accreditation process. I’m proud of their commitment and the end result,” he added.

Of the 12,000+ park and recreation organizations throughout the United States, only 204 are currently accredited through CAPRA’s rigorous standards of excellence. With the recent honor, South Suburban is one of 11 agencies in Colorado to earn the distinction.

NRPA is the leading non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of public parks, recreation and conservation. Its mission is to advance parks, recreation and environmental conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people.

SSPRD serves more than 151,000 residents in six cities and three counties south of Denver, CO. South Suburban’s mission is to foster healthy living through stewardship of the environment, parks, trails, and open space and by providing recreational services and programs.

Benefits of CAPRA Agency Accreditation
For Your Community:

• Demonstrates that the agency meets national standards of best practices.
• Recognizes the community as a great place to live.
• Holds an agency accountable to the public and ensures responsiveness to meet their needs.
• Ensures that all staff are providing quality customer service.

For Your Agency and Staff:

• Proves to decision makers, stakeholders and the public that the agency is operating with the best practices of the profession.
• Improves overall operations and increases efficiency.
• Creates an environment for regular review and promotes continual improvement.