On Friday, the city of Gainesville announced that its Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) was reaccredited with a perfect score for the first time ever.
PRCA achieved all 154 reaccreditation standards set by the National Recreation and Park Association and the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies, according to a city of Gainesville press release.
The accreditation standards are for management and administration in areas of programs, services, facilities and lands. PRCA oversees 90 parks and over 3,000 acres that feature wetlands, aquatic facilities, historic sites and a golf course.
PRCA also hosts events such as the annual Downtown Festival and Art Show, the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire and the Free Friday Concert Series.
The department received its first accreditation in 2013 and has maintained that status ever since, which is renewed every five years.
“This is the crowning achievement at the end of a banner year for Gainesville’s parks,” said Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward in a press release. “With funding from the Wild Spaces, Public Places half-cent sales tax, we have completed and opened the new ‘boundless playground’ at Massey Park. We renovated Forest Park with improved soccer fields. Lighting was installed at Possum Creek, and the softball fields and shade structures at Tom Petty Park will be ready in November.”