The Cleveland Parks And Recreation Department has been recognized by the state of Tennessee as an example of best management practices. The Tennessee Department of Environment And Conservation is including Cleveland in its benchmarking program.
Benchmarked programs can be used as good examples of management practices and operations by others. Cleveland received the tier II designation for mid-size cities. The designation will continue for five years. Parks And Recreation Director Patti Petitt and Mayor Tom Rowland made the announcement Monday. A benchmark program can be studied by others when making plans and setting goals, Rowland said.
Ms. Petitt said the benchmarking precess is conducted by TDEC's Recreational Education Service. The state considers department practices and policies, manuals, buildings and grounds, volunteers and staff. The benchmark designation is the culmination of a year of work by the city department, she said.
The designation carries a local benefit too. "Benchmarked means we get ten points up front when our grant requests are being considered," Ms. Petitt said. Cleveland Parks And Recreation Department has 29 full-time employees.