Washington, DC
2020 ParkScore® ranking: #2
Our analysis is based on four characteristics of an effective park system:
access, investment, acreage, and amenities.
access, investment, acreage, and amenities.
How we calculated Washington, DC’s ParkScore rating:
Access

98 out of 100
Acreage

55 out of 100
Investment

100 out of 100
Amenities

80 out of 100
We're working to ensure there's a park within a 10-minute walk of home
of every person, in every neighborhood, in every city across America.
of every person, in every neighborhood, in every city across America.
Is Washington, DC meeting that goal?
98%
of residents live within a 10 minute walk of a park.
National average 55%
Percent of residents within a
10-minute walk of a park by age
10-minute walk of a park by age
Children (0 - 19)
Adults (20 - 64)
Seniors (65+)
Percent of residents within a
10-minute walk of a park by income
10-minute walk of a park by income

Percent of residents within a 10-minute walk of a park by race/ethnicity

24%
of Washington, DC's city land is used for parks and recreation.
National median 15%
Where in Washington, DC are parks needed most?
Washington, DC has 631 parks
We’ve mapped park access in 14,000 cities and towns across the country. Our free mapping platform helps you pinpoint where to focus park investments in your city.
Explore the map
Washington, DC Park Amenities Compared to the 100 Largest U.S. Cities
Basketball Hoops
87 th percentile

6.3 per 10,000 people
Dog Parks
78 th percentile

2 per 100,000 people
Playgrounds
25 th percentile

1.9 per 10,000 people
Bathrooms
75 th percentile

2.6 per 10,000 people
Recreation and Senior Centers
97 th percentile

2.2 per 20,000 people
Splashpads
84 th percentile

4.1 per 100,000 people
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Mayor Muriel Bowser has pledged to adopt long-term, system-wide strategies to make sure every Washington, DC resident has access to all the benefits parks provide.
"I have endorsed the vision that everyone deserves a park or open space within a 10-minute walk of home." — Mayor Bowser
Learn about the 10-Minute Walk campaign
We’re helping people connect with nature near you