Trust for Public Land has released its 2026 ParkScore index, which has ranked Washington, D.C., as the nation’s best big-city park system for the sixth consecutive year. Washington narrowly beat Irvine, Calif., Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn. The annual ParkScore index ranks park systems in the 100 most populous U.S. cities and is widely considered the gold standard for park evaluation.
Chicago returned to the Top 10 this year, pulling narrowly ahead of Denver on increased investment and several creative park projects, such as converting a vacant lot into a community plaza and roller rink. Texas also made big gains this year, with several Lone Star cities leaping up the ratings list, including Irving (up 28 spots to No. 71), Fort Worth (up 14 spots to No. 58) and Austin (up 7 to No. 47). Texas gains were driven by new park openings, major new investments, and “open schoolyards” agreements that open playgrounds and school athletic fields for community use after hours and on weekends.
Accompanying the annual ratings list, Trust for Public Land released a new economic analysis, The Undeniable ROI of Parks, which found that city parks deliver $3 in benefits for every $1 invested. These benefits reach residents in many ways. For example, parks facilitate physical activity, which improves physical and mental health while reducing health care costs. Parks also serve as “green infrastructure,” which saves cities money on flood control and other public works. Finally, park facilities and activities offer direct savings to consumers, who might otherwise pay out-of-pocket for similar services.
The research report cites many innovative examples of high-ROI park investments. For example, New York City recently opened several “Fitness Zones” in public parks, providing access to free strength training equipment. Charlotte’s Fourth Ward Movie Night screens popular films at no cost during the summer, with free popcorn for the first 100 attendees. These initiatives save residents money on gym memberships and entertainment costs.
Other examples described in the report yield substantial savings to city governments. For example, Los Angeles’ “Green Alleys” program recently replaced several trash-strewn asphalt alleys with landscaped pedestrian walkways. These green spaces absorb water during rainstorms, instead of pushing additional runoff into already overstretched storm drain networks. Green alleys and other natural spaces save Los Angeles an estimated $8 million annually in stormwater treatment costs.
Trust for Public Land also released a new public opinion survey confirming that residents throughout the United States use parks regularly, value them highly, and consider parks and other public open spaces essential pieces of community infrastructure. Survey results were consistent across demographic and ideological lines.
The research found that 88% of U.S. residents visited a public park at least once during the past year, and more than half (54%) want to spend more time outside. Survey respondents reported using parks to increase physical activity and improve physical health (71%), de-stress and improve mental health (61%), and spend time with family and friends (46%). The survey found that people visited parks more frequently than any other publicly accessible venue, including bars and restaurants. Also, an overwhelming majority of respondents (88%)
support continued community investment in outdoor recreation. The public opinion survey, National Survey on Outdoor Public Spaces, was conducted by national pollster YouGov in March, 2026 (N=4,000).
“Americans from all walks of life love their local parks, and they want leaders to invest in them,” said Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser, president and CEO of Trust for Public Land. “The 2026 ParkScore rankings and results show why: Parks deliver real returns, generating $3 in economic benefits for every $1 invested, while improving physical and mental health and strengthening communities. TPL is committed to working with cities nationwide to expand access to high-quality parks and unlock their multitude of benefits for everyone.”
Washington, D.C., was rated the best big-city park system in the United States for the sixth consecutive year. The city scored well on all ParkScore rating factors. More than 21% of land in the District of Columbia is reserved for parks, among the highest in the U.S. The District also outperformed on ParkScore’s park access and park equity metrics.
“Six years at the top isn’t an accident—it’s the result of deliberate, sustained investment in the parks, playgrounds and recreation centers that make D.C. the best city in the world,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “We’ve been intentional about providing Washingtonians in every corner of D.C. walkable access to green, clean and fun parks and recreation spaces. As we head into another beautiful D.C. summer, I invite everyone to come enjoy our parks and all they have to offer.”
Irvine, Calif. retained its second-place ranking, powered by continued progress on its Great Park, one of the most ambitious public park projects in the U.S. Boise, Idaho, defended its title as the best park system for dogs, with a nation-leading 9.1 dog parks per 100,000 residents, outscoring Portland, Ore., and Henderson, Nev. St. Paul, Minn., received top marks for basketball hoops, Cincinnati scored best for playgrounds, and Boston ranked first for splash pads and other water features.
According to Trust for Public Land, the 10 highest-ranking park systems in the United States are:
- Washington, D.C.
- Irvine, Calif.
- Minneapolis
- St. Paul, Minn.
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- San Francisco
- Arlington, Va.
- Seattle
- Portland, Ore.
- Chicago