CPRP - Certified Park and Recreation Professional Planning and Design 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which planning document establishes a long-term vision for park system growth, capital improvements, and programming priorities?
- Parks and Recreation Master Plan (Correct answer)
- Environmental Impact Statement
- Capital Improvement Budget
- Land Subdivision Ordinance
Correct answer: Parks and Recreation Master Plan
A Parks and Recreation Master Plan is the foundational document that outlines long-range goals, facility needs, funding strategies, and priorities for a park system over a defined planning horizon.
Question 2: What planning concept groups compatible land uses together while separating incompatible ones to reduce conflicts?
- Eminent domain
- Euclidean zoning (Correct answer)
- Transfer of development rights
- Conservation easement
Correct answer: Euclidean zoning
Euclidean zoning, the most common form of land use regulation, separates land into distinct use districts (residential, commercial, industrial, recreational) to minimize conflicts between incompatible uses.
Question 3: In park design, what term describes the ratio of impervious surface to total site area, which affects stormwater runoff?
- Floor area ratio
- Impervious cover ratio (Correct answer)
- Density bonus factor
- Green infrastructure index
Correct answer: Impervious cover ratio
Impervious cover ratio measures the proportion of a site covered by hard surfaces like pavement and rooftops that prevent water infiltration, directly impacting stormwater management design decisions for parks.
Question 4: Which design standard is used to determine the minimum number of accessible parking spaces required at a park facility?
- NRPA Park Metrics
- ADA Standards for Accessible Design (Correct answer)
- ASTM F1292 impact attenuation
- AASHTO geometric design guide
Correct answer: ADA Standards for Accessible Design
The ADA Standards for Accessible Design provide specific requirements for accessible parking spaces, including quantity minimums based on total lot size, dimensions, signage, and proximity to accessible entrances.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a 'level of service' (LOS) standard in parks planning?
- To rate the safety of playground equipment
- To benchmark park acreage and facilities against population needs (Correct answer)
- To score the environmental impact of a new park
- To evaluate staff performance in recreation programs
Correct answer: To benchmark park acreage and facilities against population needs
Level of service standards establish measurable benchmarks—typically acres of parkland or number of facilities per 1,000 residents—that help planners assess whether current park resources adequately serve the community's needs.
Question 6: Which technique involves gathering input from community members through workshops, surveys, and public meetings during the park planning process?
- Feasibility analysis
- Needs assessment through public engagement (Correct answer)
- Charrette facilitation only
- Cost-benefit analysis
Correct answer: Needs assessment through public engagement
Needs assessment through public engagement uses multiple methods—surveys, focus groups, public meetings, and workshops—to identify community priorities and gaps in recreation services, ensuring plans reflect actual resident needs.
Which planning document establishes a long-term vision for park system growth, capital improvements, and programming priorities?