Davenport was the first accredited Parks and Recreation Department in the state of Iowa in 2011 and was the only agency in the state until 2021. There are currently 188 accredited park and recreation agencies in the United States.

The department received re-accreditation in 2016 and 2022 by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) after being evaluated on 151 fundamental and non-fundamental standards. Parks passed all 37 of the fundamental standards and missed out on just two of the non-fundamental standards set by CAPRA. The department will be reviewed again Spring 2027.