The Trust for Public Land has published the most recent version of its annual ranking of parks and open space. A new twist for 2021includes a new metric to consider equity.
The Trust for Public Land this week published the 2021 ParkScore Index, ranking Washington, D.C. at the top of the list that compares park systems in the 100 most populated cities in the United States.
The ParkScore Index measures park systems across five categories: access, investment, amenities, acreage, and—new for 2021—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," according to the Trust for Public Land's website for the 2021 ParkScore Index. The tool is designed to provide communities with information to help close the park equity gap, according to the Trust for Public Land.
Following D.C. in this year's top five on the index are 2) St. Paul, Minnesota; 3) Minneapolis, Minnesota; 4) Arlington, Virginia; and 5) Chicago, Illinois.
Minneapolis topped the 2020 list. Local news coverage in Cincinnati examined that city's fall from fifth to eighth on the list.
FULL STORY: 2021 ParkScore Index
2020 ParkScore Ranks Minneapolis at the Top
The need for access to parks and open space has never been as obvious, or as pressing.
An Interview With New York Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver, FAICP
Mitchell Silver, commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, former planning director of Raleigh, and former president of the APA, discusses the aspirations and realities of a long, successful career in planning.
2019 ParkScore Rankings Now Available
The trust for Public Land today announced the 2019 ParkScore rankings.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Understanding Road Diets
An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.
New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution
A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.
Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension
The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service