Mark of distinction recognizes commitment to highest level of service to the community

Photo Courtesy: JCSD
Eastvale Community Center

Courtesy of JCSD

Jurupa Valley – On Sept. 14, Jurupa Community Services District’s (JCSD) Parks and Recreation Department, which serves Eastvale residents, joined the ranks of elite park and recreation agencies and departments across the country by earning accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

This distinguished accomplishment was awarded during the 2015 NRPA Annual Conference in Las Vegas, NV. 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, JCSD had to demonstrate compliance with 144 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.

“I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of the Parks and Recreation staff, as well as the key personnel from other JCSD departments that made this possible. JCSD Parks and Recreation may be the youngest department to receive this recognition and it would not have been possible without the commitment of our Board of Directors and the cooperation of other local agencies,” said Jane Anderson, Board President.

The process for accreditation involves a formal application, self-assessments, a site visit by a team of trained visitors that results in a written report, and a hearing with the commission to grant accreditation. Once accredited, the agency must uphold the standards by submitting an Annual Report and is reviewed again in five years. 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 and the Council of State Executive Directors.

JCSD staff is honored to serve the Eastvale community and will continue its commitment to deliver the best services possible. The Board of Directors and staff extend their gratitude to the community for their support of JCSD’s Parks and Recreation Department.

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

Founded in 1956, the Jurupa Community Services District is an independent local government agency, governed by a five-member, elected Board of Directors. JCSD serves more than 118,700 people in a 41-square mile region of western Riverside County that encompasses the City of Eastvale and a significant portion of the City of Jurupa Valley. JCSD provides a variety of critical services such as water, sewer, frontage landscape and street light maintenance, and graffiti abatement. JCSD also provides park maintenance and recreation program services throughout most of the City of Eastvale. For more information, visit our website at http://www.jcsd.us. About NRPA The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 50,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit http://www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit http://www.parksandrecreation.org.