The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation, now CAPRA accredited, offers something for everyone at its Delaware State Parks, all year long.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Division of Parks and Recreation recently achieved accreditation from the National Recreation and Park Association’s Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). The only national organization for accreditation of park and recreation agencies, CAPRA provides a management system of best practices to its members. Less than 2%, or 199 out of 12,000, parks and recreation agencies in the United States are CAPRA accredited.

The division earned this honor after demonstrating a high quality of operation, management and service to the community through a rigorous peer evaluation. As part of the accreditation process, the Division of Parks and Recreation was required to provide the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) with more than 130 detailed descriptions of how the agency meets each of the CAPRA standards along with nearly 500 pieces of compliance evidence, including manuals, certification lists and detailed processes for human resources, enforcement, maintenance, fiscal and programming.

“I am continuously proud of the work our Division of Parks and Recreation does, from the leadership by our division director Ray Bivens, to those in the field at our state parks to the administrative staff behind the scenes,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “CAPRA accreditation strengthens our ability to provide the high-quality recreational experiences millions of visitors have come to expect from Delaware State Parks, the best in the nation.”

CAPRA proves the division is operating with the best practices of the profession, increases credibility and can improve internal and external funding, improves overall operations and increases efficiency, enhances staff teamwork and pride by engaging all staff in the process, creates an environment for regular review of operations, policies and procedures, and promotes continual improvement.

“The CAPRA Accreditation process helps organizations establish a management system of operational best practices to improve their infrastructures, increase efficiency in all their departments and demonstrate accountability within their communities,” said Jennifer Schleining, NRPA CAPRA accreditation manager. “We are thrilled to include DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation as part of our 2022 slate of newly accredited agencies. They are the first CAPRA agency in Delaware and the third state park system accredited by CAPRA nationwide.”

Bivens Named 2022 AAPRA Fellow

On Sept. 14, Division of Parks and Recreation Director Ray Bivens was inducted into the American Academy of Parks and Recreation Administration, joining other distinguished practitioners and educators who are leaders in the parks and recreation profession. The academy is limited to 125 active fellows with five new fellows selected for the class of 2022.

“The Academy is honored to induct Ray into its ranks,” said AAPRA President Bill Foelsch. “The Academy represents a diverse group of professionals and educators – all with superior career experience and a dedication to improving the quality of life through the provision of high-quality parks and recreation opportunities.”

Election into the AAPRA is reserved for parks and recreation professionals who have demonstrated outstanding ability in administration, management or education, displayed broad interest with a direct service benefit to the advancement of public parks and recreation or assumed leadership with a keen desire to contribute to the advancement of the field.

In 2013, Bivens was appointed as the eighth director of the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation, where he is responsible for managing more than 26,000 acres of park land. Under his leadership, the division has seen tremendous growth and broken records in various areas, including camping/cabin stays, volunteer hours, park attendance and revenue. Visitation to Delaware’s 17 state parks has increased by 30% in the last five years, from 6.1 million visitors in 2017 to 7.9 million in 2021 and is up 78% over the last decade.

In 2021, the division was selected for its second Gold Medal Award from the AAPRA and NRPA as the best managed state park system in the country. This recognition makes Delaware the second state to win the award more than once, both times under Bivens’ tenure. Bivens was also recognized at the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) Conference with the Distinguished Service Award in 2021.

Bivens holds a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife management from Frostburg State University and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Wilmington University. He currently serves as an adjunct graduate professor at Clemson University and an honorary commander for the Dover Air Force Base.

About DNREC

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov or Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov.

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Gov. John Carney announced Tuesday that Delaware State Parks won the prestigious 2021 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, which Delaware also won in 2015. The award is given by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration with the National Recreation and Park Association. Pictured with the 2021 Gold Medal Grand Plaque, from left to right, are the Delaware State Parks staff who worked on the award application: Shauna McVey, public information officer; Joe Ulrich, photography/videography manager; Laura Parks, land preservation technician; Martina Adams, special project coordinator; and Elena Stewart, land preservation specialist; and DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation Director Ray Bivens; Gov. Carney; along with Parks section leaders Greg Abbott, manager of Administrative Services; Matt Ritter, manager of Planning, Preservation and Development; and Grant Melville, manager of Operations, Maintenance and Programming; and DNREC Deputy Secretary Lisa Borin Ogden. DNREC photo.

Gov. John Carney joined Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn M. Garvin today to announce that DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation has won the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) and National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) 2021 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. This is the second time Delaware’s state parks received this prestigious award, having won it previously in 2015.

In May, Delaware, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas state parks systems were selected as finalists in the State Parks Division. This biennial Gold Medal award has only been given 13 times since its establishment in 1997. Delaware and Florida are the only state park systems to win the award more than once.

“To be awarded the National Gold Medal is a testament to the dedication of the Division of Parks and Recreation and our state’s natural and cultural resources,” said Governor Carney. “Delaware State Parks provide refuge for millions of Delawareans and visitors each year, and were critical to the public’s mental and physical health as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. Congratulations to the Division on this well-deserved national honor.”

“Our entire state is incredibly proud of this significant national recognition of Delaware’s first class park system,” Secretary Garvin said. “I get the opportunity to see daily that the passion, dedication and commitment of the Division of Parks and Recreation team (staff, volunteers and partners) that is second to none in stewardship of our award-winning state parks.”

This year is also the 70th anniversary of Delaware State Parks. The division does not know the exact factors that set Delaware apart in the competition, but believes multiple items played into being selected as the 2021 Gold Medal state park system. Under the leadership of Director Ray Bivens, the Delaware State Parks system has seen tremendous growth and broken records in numerous areas, including camping/cabin stays, volunteer hours, park attendance and revenue. Bivens, named Delaware’s eighth state park director in 2013, received the 2021 National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) Conference Distinguished Service Award Sept. 10 during the NASPD’s annual conference. Other distinctions that undoubtedly contributed to the Gold Medal recognition include:

• Delaware State Parks welcomes more than 6 million guests annually and has seen record breaking growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, campground nights booked grew by 57% from 70,880 nights in 2012 to 111,376 nights in 2020.
• The division is committed to innovation, including creative public private partnerships such as the Fort Miles Museum, Big Chill Beach Club and the establishment of Auburn Valley State Park from one of the most contaminated and flood-prone sites in the state.
• The division’s impact on the economy includes support for more than 6,000 jobs through concessionaire and partnership agreements.
• The economic impact of visitors to the state includes $319 million in spending generated from Cape Henlopen, Killens Pond, Lums Pond, Delaware Seashore and Trap Pond state park campgrounds.
• Despite being 20 times smaller than any other finalist state, Delaware boasts a diverse and robust state park system featuring ocean parks like Fenwick, Delaware Seashore and Cape Henlopen, urban parks such as Wilmington, Alapocas and Bellevue, historic parks such as Fort Delaware and First State Heritage Park and a variety of other amenities including Deerfield and Garrison’s Lake golf courses, Brandywine Zoo, Killens Water Park and the Indian River Marina.

“Our 2021 Gold Medal recipients show a remarkable resilience as well concern for their constituents and staff in continuing to provide critical services during this COVID pandemic,” said AAPRA Executive Director Jane H. Adams. “The pandemic has shed light on the essential services provided by park and recreation agencies.”

Agencies are judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of community members, staff members and elected officials. The National Gold Medal Awards program, sponsored by Musco Lighting, LLC, honors communities in the United States that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition.

The award is given in coordination by the AAPRA with the National Recreation and Park Association. To learn more about the Gold Medal Awards, visit www.aapra.org.

Additional photos are available for download and publication at this link.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov or Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov.

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Delaware’s state parks abound with offerings for visitors, along with history and beautiful views like the World War II-era fire control towers along Delaware’s Atlantic coast. /DNREC Photo

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announce today that its Division of Parks and Recreation has been named a finalist for the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) 2021 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. The award is given in coordination by the AAPRA with the National Recreation and Park Association.

“We are proud that the Division of Parks and Recreation is a finalist in this prestigious competition, especially while celebrating the 70th anniversary of Delaware State Parks this year,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Achieving this level of recognition among other high-caliber park systems across the country is commendable, and puts a spotlight on how talented and passionate our staff and volunteers are.”

This is the second time Delaware’s state parks are in the running for the award, having won it previously in 2015. The state park award category is awarded every other year and Delaware State Parks was required to wait to apply again until this year. If selected as this year’s winner, Delaware would be the second state park system to win the award twice.

Agencies are judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of community members, staff members and elected officials. Applications are separated into six classes, with five classes based on population and one class for armed forces. Delaware State Parks joins three other finalists in their class that will compete for the Grand Plaque, which will be awarded in September.

The National Gold Medal Awards program, founded in 1965 and sponsored by Musco Lighting, LLC, honors communities in the United States that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition.

To learn more about the Gold Medal Awards, visit www.aapra.org.

About DNREC

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov or Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov.

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