10-01-2007 National accreditation distinguishes South Bend parks

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that represent elements of effective and efficient park-and-recreation operations. To become accredited, agencies must demonstrate their ability to meet 36 fundamental standards and 85 percent of all other standards, according to the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies, known as CAPRA. "The accreditation process provided us with guidelines and insight to recommend best standards. It has allowed our agency to identify our strength and establish techniques to continue improving our overall operations," said Phil St. Clair, parks superintendent. "We are thrilled with the announcement of our accreditation by CAPRA, yet we realize there is still more to do. We will use our accreditation as a spring board to continue improving all the local parks and recreation programs for our community." The mayor and parks officials invited South Bend residents to come to this weekend's free Rum Village Fall Family Fun Fair, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, to celebrate the achievement with one of the park system's biggest annual events. The parks department has been laying the groundwork for last week's accreditation for more than two years. The process is extensive, requiring a detailed self-assessment after the initial application. Matt Moyers, director of special projects, had been assigned to prepare the 174-page self-assessment report on behalf of the department and to shepherd the application through the process. A national accreditation team, consisting of experienced professionals from accredited park systems, visited South Bend for two days in July to review the report and visit South Bend park facilities firsthand. After CAPRA's review, the accreditation was formally conferred during the NRPA's annual conference. The development in 2004 of a parks department master plan followed by South Bend's development of City Plan, its first comprehensive plan in a generation, proved critical to the accreditation application process, according to Moyers. CAPRA consists of representatives from the National Recreation and Park Association, the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials, the International City/County Managers Association, American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation, the Armed Forces Recreation Society and the Council of State Executive Directors. The 155 standards grow out of 10 broad categories: the park system's role and authority, planning, organization, human resources, fiscal management, programs and services, facility/land use, security and public safety, risk management and evaluative research. "They were very complimentary of our operations in South Bend," St. Clair said. "I would like to thank our Mayor Stephen Luecke for his support, the Board of Park Commissioners for their leadership and the city council for their financial support in these tough times." In 2008, the parks department has a $14.2 million budget, 62 percent of which is funded by property taxes. Current park board members include Robert Henry, president; Robert Goodrich; Dr. Thomas Kelly and Garrett Mullins, while Ann Puzzello chairs the council's Parks committee. For the general public, the benefits of accreditation include the assurance of well-