Top 12 U.S. Cities
Report: The Power of Parks to Address Climate Change
We've surveyed the 100 most populous cities in the U.S. to learn how they're using their parks and open spaces to meet the climate crisis. Our data show that the majority of cities are pursuing nature-based strategies, setting goals, and implementing policies to reduce emissions, absorb atmospheric carbon, mitigate drought and flooding, and address environmental injustice. Read more about how investments in park infrastructure are helping cities become more climate resilient and equitable in our report, "The Power of Parks to Address Climate Change."
Why We Publish the ParkScore® Index
Trust for Public Land's ParkScore® index is the national gold-standard comparison of park systems across the 100 most populated cities in the United States. Published annually, the index measures park systems according to five categories: access, investment, amenities, acreage, equity.
Beyond the ranking of 100 cities, the data behind the ParkScore index also reveals park access levels for nearly every city and town in the United States. This powerful tool provides communities with the information needed to help close the park equity gap.
Parks are essential for public health, climate resilience, and strong connected communities. And yet, 100 million people in the U.S.—including 28 million kids—don't have a park within a 10-minute walk of home.
We have the data to pinpoint where parks are needed most.
How do we calculate the scores? Read our methodology.
Don't see your city in the ranking? Search for it here. Beyond our ParkScore index rankings, our data compiles park acreage and access information for nearly 14,000 cities, towns, and communities across the U.S.
Help Us Fight Extreme Heat with Parks
Green, shady parks protect people from rising temperatures, absorb air pollution, and filter rainwater. Yet, despite dramatically increased use in parks during recent years—ParkScore cities don’t have enough funding simply to fix broken infrastructure. Urge your legislators to support investments in parks that will make vulnerable communities more resilient to our
changing climate.
