McKinney’s Parks and Recreation department was nationally recognized in September for work completed to protect green space and offer recreational opportunities that support active lifestyles.

The department was awarded national accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies program run by the National Recreation and Park Association, according to a city news release. The accreditation is a measure of a parks department’s overall quality of operation, management and service to the community, according to NRPA’s website.

“Parks and open spaces are at the heart of McKinney’s unique by nature character,” Parks and Recreation Director Amy Kinkade said in a statement. “Accreditation means that McKinney residents can have confidence in the city’s continued investment in quality of life.”

McKinney is now one of 231 accredited departments located across the country. Parks departments in Frisco, Prosper, Plano and Lewisville have also been accredited by the National Recreation and Park Association.

CAPRA evaluates departments on 154 standards including financial responsibility, professional development and safety. McKinney’s parks department manages 3,000 acres of parkland, more than 100 miles of trails and a network of recreation facilities across the city.


More information about the department, including what parks and trails it manages, can be found on McKinney's website.