Philadelphia’s ParkScore is #14 in the USA: Plus Park Fun Facts

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