CPRE Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CPRE facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which planning document typically guides a park agency's vision, goals, and priorities for a 5–20 year horizon? → Comprehensive master plan
2. A park agency implementing a zero-waste event program should prioritize: → Source reduction, reuse, composting, and recycling to divert waste from landfill
3. In grant management, a match requirement means the agency must: → Contribute a specified share of project costs from non-federal sources
4. Which green infrastructure element is specifically designed to capture and filter stormwater runoff in park settings? → Bioswale
5. Which approach is most effective for identifying the recreation needs of underserved community segments? → Conducting targeted focus groups and surveys in those communities
6. Which of the following is an essential step in evaluating a recreation program? → Collecting participant feedback
7. Which financial ratio measures an agency's ability to meet short-term obligations? → Current ratio
8. The principle of 'fiduciary duty' for park board members means they must: → Act in the best interest of the agency and the public, not for personal gain
9. The primary purpose of an agency's mission statement is to: → Clearly define why the organization exists and who it serves
10. A general obligation (GO) bond for parks capital projects is typically repaid through: → Property taxes levied on residents within the jurisdiction
11. Which document typically accompanies a parks capital project to analyze whether projected revenues or benefits justify the proposed investment? → Cost-benefit analysis or feasibility study
12. A park agency using a design-build project delivery method means: → Design and construction services are contracted to a single entity
13. Which programming approach specifically focuses on ensuring recreation services are accessible to people of all abilities? → Inclusive recreation programming
14. Adaptive management in natural resource management means: → Using monitoring data and outcomes to adjust management strategies over time
15. Depreciation on park infrastructure is recorded primarily to: → Match the cost of long-lived assets with the periods they benefit
16. Which leadership behavior is most associated with building a high-performance organizational culture? → Modeling the values and behaviors expected of all staff
17. Which term describes the annual budget allocation specifically reserved to fund future capital asset replacements without taking on debt? → Capital replacement reserve fund
18. A park agency's fund balance policy should specify a minimum reserve level expressed as a percentage of: → Annual operating expenditures
19. Which leadership style is most effective during a major organizational crisis requiring immediate decisions? → Autocratic directive
20. What is a key risk of relying solely on volunteer organizations to deliver core park services? → Service continuity may be disrupted if volunteer availability declines
21. Which strategic planning tool maps objectives across financial, customer, internal processes, and learning perspectives? → Balanced Scorecard
22. A community needs assessment for park planning should gather data from which combination of sources? → A mix of community surveys, focus groups, usage data, and stakeholder interviews
23. Which federal law prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin for employers with 15 or more employees? → The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII)
24. Which OSHA standard requires parks departments to protect workers from chemical hazards and provide access to Safety Data Sheets? → OSHA 1910.1200 Hazard Communication Standard
25. Which capital project delivery method transfers design and construction risk to a single private entity responsible for both functions? → Design-build (DB)
26. A park agency is applying the programming for outcomes approach. Which step comes first in the process? → Identifying the desired community benefits and outcomes
27. Which chemical is the primary sanitizing agent regulated for use in public swimming pool water treatment? → Free chlorine, typically maintained between 1 and 3 ppm per CDC and MAHC guidelines
28. Which of the following is a key component of an effective workforce diversity and inclusion strategy for a parks and recreation agency? → Recruiting from diverse talent pools and ensuring equitable advancement opportunities
29. Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grants require that a portion of funds be allocated to: → Motorized trail projects, ensuring a balance with non-motorized trail funding
30. A park executive preparing a board presentation on strategic priorities should focus on: → High-level outcomes, community impact, and policy-level decisions