RESTON COMMUNITY CENTER EARNS COVETED NATIONAL REACCREDITATION BY CAPRA
Recognition Highlights Commitment to Excellence in Parks and Recreation
RESTON, VA – Reston Community Center (RCC) is proud to announce that it earned reaccreditation from NRPA’s Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), solidifying its place among the nation’s top-tier park and recreation organizations. The announcement was made during the “Best of the Best” ceremony at the 2025 NRPA Annual Conference, held at the Hyatt Regency Orlando on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
This prestigious designation, awarded to only 231 agencies nationwide, recognizes RCC’s continued commitment to operating with the highest standards in leadership, management, operations, community impact and overall service excellence. Earning CAPRA reaccreditation reflects RCC’s dedication to enriching the lives of Reston residents and building community through exceptional programs, services and facilities.
“We are absolutely thrilled to achieve CAPRA reaccreditation,” said Beverly Cosham, Chair, RCC Board of Governors. “This honor validates our steadfast commitment to best practices and inspires us to continually raise the bar in serving our community. We want to extend my deepest gratitude to our dedicated staff, passionate volunteers and engaged residents who help us bring our vision of a connected, inspired Reston to life every day.”
The reaccreditation process is a rigorous, multi-year effort evaluating agencies against 154 standards of excellence. It includes a self-assessment, operational review and an in-depth site visit by CAPRA representatives.
In April 2025, the CAPRA review team visited RCC and observed staff deeply invested in their work, seamlessly collaborating across departments and embracing change to better serve the community. Leadership was praised for their focus on strategic planning, streamlining processes, integrating technology and thoughtfully managing a leadership transition by honoring a 41-year legacy while maintaining trust and fostering innovation. The team commended RCC’s evolution from a traditional facility into a thriving community-centered hub where relationships, engagement and excellence take priority.
“This designation is more than an honor – it’s a mandate to build on our success and grow our impact,” said BeBe Nguyen, RCC Executive Director. “Reaccreditation highlights our strong partnerships, steadfast County support and the foundation laid by former Executive Director Leila Gordon. Together with County leaders and our community, we are ready to meet Reston’s evolving needs.”
CAPRA accreditation is the only national measure of excellence in parks and recreation and serves as a benchmark for professionalism, accountability and superior service delivery. By maintaining this status, RCC reaffirms its place among an elite group of agencies that demonstrate unwavering dedication to providing high-quality recreational opportunities that positively impact their communities. To learn more about CAPRA and its accreditation process, visit www.nrpa.org/CAPRA .
About Reston Community Center
Reston Community Center provides a wide range of programs in aquatics, arts, enrichment and lifelong learning for all ages. RCC creates and sustains community traditions through special events, outreach activities and facility rentals enjoyed by all of Reston. RCC has been enriching lives and building community for more than 45 years. For more information about RCC’s programs and services, please visit www.restoncommunitycenter.com.
Enriching Lives. Building Community.
Image Credit: Reston Community Center
RCC staff celebrate RCC’s reaccreditation at the NRPA Best of the Best Ceremony in Orlando, Fla., on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
RCC Board of Governors and staff, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, County leaders and RCC stakeholders gather to celebrate the renaming of The Leila Gordon Theatre with the CAPRA Reaccreditation Review Team during their site visit on April 29, 2025.
Media Contact:
Lorna Campbell Clarke, IOM
Director of Communications
703-390-6158
Lorna.Campbell-Clarke@fairfaxcounty.gov
