The County of San Diego said County Parks and Recreation earned reaccreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies; reviewers found the department met all 154 national standards and awarded a perfect score. CAPRA presented the award on Sept. 29, 2026, at the National Recreation and Park Association’s Best of the Best Ceremony.

“Our mission is to provide great parks, facilities, and programs that improve quality of life while protecting the natural habitats and wildlife that make San Diego County special,” said Director of County Parks and Recreation Jason Hemmens. “This recognition reflects our team’s hard work, dedication, and passion. It shows our commitment to excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.”

County Parks operates 159 facilities across San Diego County, more than 60,000 acres of parkland and nearly 400 miles of trails. The system includes neighborhood parks, sports fields, playgrounds, campgrounds, historic sites, fishing lakes, nature preserves, community centers, teen centers and a botanic garden.

In its summary report, CAPRA commended the County of San Diego "for its outstanding preparation, organizational professionalism, and unwavering commitment to excellence in parks and recreation services." Reviewers singled out the department as a model in employee orientation, organizational culture, risk management and recreation planning, and highlighted outreach, volunteer programs and public participation.

Accessibility upgrades are a stated priority; recent projects added accessible restrooms, parking, pathways and playgrounds. The release cites improvements at Village View, Heritage and the new Padres Park at San Dieguito as examples.

The county said the reaccreditation reaffirms its commitment to protecting habitat and expanding opportunities for residents to connect with nature and recreation. For readers that means continued investment in maintained trails, upgraded facilities and programs the department says aim to serve people of all ages and abilities.

Sources & methodology

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County of San Diego

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