Cincinnati is the fourth-best city in the country for parks

Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer
·2 min read

Cincinnati is now the fourth-best city in the country for parks, according to an annual report from the Trust for Public Land. The Queen City ranked No. 4 out of 100 of the largest cities in the U.S. The ranking marks a steep upward jump from last year's No. 8 placement and is the first time Cincinnati has cracked the Top 5.

The ranking is based on the trust's ParkScore Index, which compares park access, acreage, investment, amenities and equity.

Here's how Cincinnati scored in each:

  • Access: 82/100.

  • Acreage: 60/100.

  • Investment: 92/100.

  • Amenities: 92/100.

  • Equity: 69/100.

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Cincinnati's climb was largely due to new measures allowing residents to use school playgrounds after hours and on the weekends, which the report notes is a nationwide trend increasing park access.

The report also shows that 88 percent of Cincinnati residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. The median for the 14,000 cities and towns in the ParkScore database is 55 percent.

“We take great pride in our parks and feel it is vital they remain a safe, equitable space for families and residents to utilize and enjoy," Mayor Aftab Pureval said in a release. "Continual improvement to these public spaces remains a priority, but this national ranking makes clear that Cincinnati cares deeply about the role parks have in contributing to happier, healthier lives for all.”

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For park equity, the ParkScore Index measures access to parks between neighborhoods based on income level and race. The report found that neighborhoods where most people identify as a person of color have four percent less nearby park space compared to predominately white neighborhoods.

The Board of Park Commissioners said it will work with city leadership and organizations to close the gap.

“While we are thrilled with this ranking, we’re not satisfied. Another benefit we are excited about is the extensive, in-depth analysis we received from the Trust," Cincinnati Board of Park Commissioners President Jim Goetz said. "We will use this information to work with our partners to identify ways to improve as an organization for all those we serve."

Cincinnati is home to over 5,000 acres of parks, including five regional parks, 70 neighborhood parks, 34 natural areas, six neighborhood nature centers, 30 sites managed by the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, five parkways, 16 scenic overlooks, two arboretums and 65 miles of hiking and bridle trails.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Trust for Public Land: Cincinnati ranks No. 4 for parks