Kurtis Baumgartner, Monon Community Center Director, recently earned the Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) accreditation granted by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) National Certification Board. The CPRE program recognizes advanced skills and competencies related to the professional practice and delivery of park and recreation programs and services. Baumgartner is one of 205 individuals in the country, and one of only five in the state of Indiana, to hold this certification, another individual being Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR) Chief Operating Officer Michael Klitzing.
“By earning this certification, Kurtis has proven his dedication to the profession as well as to Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation,” said Klitzing. “We’re proud to have another CPRE on our team who is focused on the continued success of parks and recreation in our community.”
According to NRPA, the CPRE “establishes a national standard for managerial, administrative and executive parks and recreation professionals.” In order to earn the CPRE credential, individuals must meet specific requirements for education and experience, and successfully pass an exam covering a comprehensive set of topics including communication, finance, human resources and operations and planning.
Baumgartner has 15 years of experience in the parks and recreation field. He joined CCPR in 2010, moving into his current role in 2014. He is responsible for administration, programming and total operations of the Monon Community Center, a 146,000 square-foot community center and 10-acre outdoor aquatic center.
For more information about CPRE, visit www.nrpa.org/cpre.
About Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation
Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR) holds the Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and
Recreation Management by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) for parks serving populations of 75,001 to 150,000. As an accredited agency, the department serves the recreation, fitness, and nature needs of the community, manages and develops existing spaces and resources and creates a sustainable future for parks and recreation programs through a financially viable and environmentally conscious parks system. CCPR manages and maintains more than 500 park acres and numerous recreation facilities, including the Monon Community Center and The Waterpark.
For more information, visit www.carmelclayparks.com.
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people. Through its network of 20,000 recreation and park professional and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives and conservation of natural and cultural resources. For more information, visit www.NRPA.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrec-magazine.org.