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o�sou Tx <br /> F dx <br /> :J b <br /> W eFacE � � <br /> y� a 1, a2 <br /> 1865 <br /> Office of the Mayor <br /> NEWS RELEASE <br /> October 1, 2007 <br /> National accreditation distinguishes South Bend parks <br /> Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications&Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876- <br /> 1564, Mark Bradley, Director of Marketing, South Bend Parks &Recreation, 299-4765 <br /> A national accrediting body has recognized the South Bend Parks and Recreation <br /> Department as one of the top-tier park systems in the United States, the statistical <br /> equivalent of a men's basketball team advancing to the NCAA Final Four. <br /> Mayor Stephen J. Luecke and park officials gathered today at the O'Brien Recreation <br /> Center to celebrate the South Bend Parks and Recreation Department's formal <br /> accreditation by the national Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation <br /> Agencies. Only 73 agencies in the United States have earned this distinction, and just <br /> four in Indiana With more than 10,000 such agencies nationwide, the recognition puts <br /> South Bend in the top 1 percent of park systems. <br /> The department received formal word of the honor Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the National <br /> Recreation and Parks Association's national congress, which met last week in <br /> Indianapolis. The 25-member board voted unanimously to accredit South Bend on its first <br /> application, the culmination ofatwo-year process. <br /> "Every day, our citizens use and enjoy our city's parks—from neighborhood parks, golf <br /> courses and recreation centers to riverwalks, greenhouses and conservatories, and <br /> community jewels like the East Race, the Potawatomi Zoo and Coveleski stadium. This <br /> national recognition shows that our city parks' administration and programs are <br /> unsurpassed in their operations—a model of good government," Luecke said. "Whether <br /> it's fitness programs, camps and youth activities or softball at the Belleville Sports <br /> Complex, South Bend Parks and Recreation has enhanced our quality of life and <br /> contributed to our community's overall health. I'm proud of the work of the many staff in <br /> my administration that made this achievement possible." <br /> National accreditation requires park-and-recreation agencies to respond to 155 standards <br />