The California Park & Recreation Society was founded in 1946, CPRS is a nonprofit, professional and public interest organization with over 4,000 members who create community by:
- providing recreational experiences to individuals, families and communities
- fostering human development
- promoting health and wellness
- increasing cultural unity
- facilitating community problem solving
- protecting natural resources
- strengthening safety and security
- strengthening community image and sense of place
- supporting economic development
CPRS membership is well-distributed, with 86 percent of park and recreation agencies in California boasting at least one CPRS individual member. In addition, over 175 park and recreation agencies are themselves CPRS members.