What Is ParkScore? Exploring America’s Best Park Cities

If you’ve ever wondered why some cities feel easier to explore outdoors than others, there’s actually a ranking system designed to measure exactly that. It’s called ParkScore®, and it’s created annually by the Trust for Public Land—a nonprofit organization focused on expanding access to parks and public land across the United States.

Each year, ParkScore evaluates the park systems in the 100 largest U.S. cities to determine which cities are doing the best job of making parks accessible, equitable, and enjoyable for residents.

For outdoor lovers, families, walkers, runners, cyclists, dog owners, and anyone trying to spend more time outside, ParkScore offers a fascinating glimpse into which cities are investing in quality of life through green space.

And this year, several cities featured in The GO Deck city series landed in the national top 10 list.

What Is the Trust for Public Land?

Trust for Public Land (often shortened to TPL) is a national nonprofit founded in 1972 that works to create parks, protect land, and ensure that everyone has access to nature close to home.

One of TPL’s biggest initiatives is ParkScore®, which has become one of the most widely referenced park rankings in the country. Since 2012, the organization has collected and analyzed park data from major U.S. cities to better understand how well residents can access outdoor spaces.

Their work goes beyond rankings. The organization also advocates for park funding, studies park equity, and researches how access to nature affects health, wellbeing, and community connection.

How Does ParkScore Work?

ParkScore doesn’t simply count the number of parks in a city. Instead, it evaluates cities across five major categories:

• Access – How many residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park?
• Acreage – How much land is dedicated to parks?
• Amenities – Are there playgrounds, trails, basketball courts, splash pads, dog parks, and recreation facilities?
• Investment – How much funding does the city dedicate to parks and recreation?
• Equity – Are parks distributed fairly across neighborhoods and income levels?

Cities receive points in each category, and those scores are combined into an overall ParkScore rating out of 100.

What makes ParkScore especially valuable is that it measures not just whether parks exist, but whether people can realistically access and benefit from them.

Why Park Access Matters

Research consistently shows that spending time outdoors can improve physical health, reduce stress, support mental wellbeing, strengthen community connection, and encourage more active lifestyles.

That means great park systems aren’t just nice amenities; they’re public health infrastructure.

Cities that invest in accessible green space often make it easier for residents to:

• Walk or bike safely
• Exercise affordably
• Spend time with family outdoors
• Reduce screen time
• Build stronger community ties
• Experience the mental health benefits of nature

ParkScore helps shine a spotlight on cities that are prioritizing these outcomes.

The Top Park Cities in the U.S.

According to the latest ParkScore rankings from the Trust for Public Land, several top-ranked cities are locales showcased within The GO Deck city series:

1. Washington, D.C., which includes Arlington, VA
2. Twin Cities, covering Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN
3. Seattle, WA

One reason these cities consistently perform well is that they make outdoor access part of everyday life—not something residents have to drive hours to experience.

For example:

• Washington, D.C. has nearly universal park access, with 99% of residents living near a park.
• Minneapolis consistently scores near the top nationally for investment and access.
• Seattle earned national recognition for its strong mix of access, amenities, and investment in parks.

Explore Top-Ranked Park Cities with The GO Deck

One thing we love about ParkScore is that it reinforces something we deeply believe at The GO Deck:

You don’t need an expensive vacation or elaborate plans to experience awe outdoors.

Some of the best outdoor experiences in the country are already woven into everyday life in cities with strong park systems.

That’s one reason we’re especially excited that several cities featured in our City Deck collection ranked among the nation’s best park systems.

Why Rankings Like ParkScore Matter

At its core, ParkScore is about more than statistics.

It’s about whether people can easily access moments of movement, rest, connection, wonder, and community in their everyday lives.

As the population becomes increasingly urbanized, accessible outdoor space becomes even more important—not just for recreation, but for physical health, mental wellbeing, and environmental stewardship.

And the good news? Many of the highest-ranked park cities are proving that investing in nature access truly makes communities stronger.

Whether you live in one of the top-ranked cities or are simply looking for inspiration to explore more locally, ParkScore is a reminder that meaningful outdoor experiences may be much closer than you think.