OK, so we can’t come in first every time.

The Trust for Public Land came out with the ParkScore list, ranking Philadelphia #14 out of the major US cities (top 50). Minneapolis came in at #1, followed by #2 New York City and a three-way tie for #3 including Sacramento, San Fran & Boston. Our near rival DC came in at #6.

How does ParkScore work?

The Trust for Public Land analyzed land owned by regional, state, and federal agencies across the US. Cities are able to earn a maximum of ParkScore 100, which is based on of acreage, services and investment, and access. Playgrounds are important to the service & investment piece, as well as spending on parks per resident (median: $76). The access of parks is the percentage of population living within a 10 minute walk of a park.

Overall, Philly’s score comes in at 62.5 (or 3 1/2 “benches”). We’re apparently lacking our ‘score’ in spending per resident, median park size.

Here’s the Philly Park stats according to ParkScore:

• 13% of city area is park land.
• $54.46 of spending per resident on parks.
• The median park size is 3.60 acres
• City area is 85,825 acres.
• Parks in Philadelphia make up 11,187 acres
• Fun fact: The oldest parks are Rittenhouse/Washington/Logan/Franklin Squares, which were established in 1682. (And also made a ‘grid’ of 4 corners.)
• The largest park (and most visited!) is Fairmount Park/Wissahickon Valley at 4,167 acres.
• There are 3.4 playgrounds per 10,000 residents.

Readers, what do you think of Philadelphia’s ParkScore? Do you think it should be higher? Lower?

Photo: Parkscore

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher