St. Paul, Minneapolis land in ParkScore’s top 5 spots

The latest ParkScore Index shows those who live in and around the metro area continue to have access to top-notch outdoor areas.

According to Trust for Public Land, St. Paul is second on the 2022 ParkScore index, only behind Washington, D.C., which held on to its first place position from last year’s report.

Meanwhile, Minneapolis rounded out the top five, falling two spots from last year’s third place position. This year, Arlington, Virginia took third and Cincinnati took fourth.

Rankings are based on the following factors:

• Equity – par capita park space and 10-minute walk park access in communities of color versus white, as well as low versus high income neighborhoods
• Access – percentage of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park
• Acreage – a city’s median park size and percentage of city area dedicated to parks
• Investment – park spending per resident
• Amenities – availability of popular features such as off-leash dog parks, playgrounds, restrooms, basketball hoops, playgrounds and splash pads

ParkScore data says 99% of residents in St. Paul live within a 10-minute walk of a park, while 98% of Minneapolis residents do. The national average is 75%.

The index data also shows St. Paul invests $247 per person into its park system, and Minneapolis invests $317 per person, both far above the national average of $98 per person.

The five cities which rounded out the top ten are Chicago, San Francisco, Irvine, Seattle and New York.

CLICK HERE to access the ParkScore website.