Philly's ParkScore Jumps Forward, But Constraints on Funding and Land Limit Progress

Strategic Insights -

Philly's parks have gotten a boost in rankings on the Trust for Public Land's "ParkScore" index, rising to 28 for 2025 from 32 in 2024. The Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit focused on outdoor space, ranks parks for the 100 most populous U.S. cities each year. Philly's improvement came from stronger marks for park access and amenities. The trust said 95% of city residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park, far above the national average of 76%. The city received above-average scores for amenities and ranks among the top 10 nationally for splash pads and other water features.

Key Takeaways:

  • Philly rose to 28 for 2025 on the Trust for Public Land's "ParkScore" index, a four-spot improvement from its 2024 score of 32.
  • The city's boost came from stronger marks for park access and amenities, with 95% of residents living within a 10-minute walk to a park, far above the national average of 76%.
  • Philly's park system contains about 9,200 acres of parks, including Fairmount and Wissahickon Valley parks, which boast about 2,000 acres each.
  • The city received above-average scores for amenities and ranks among the top 10 nationally for splash pads and other water features.
  • Philly ranks high for recreation and availability of senior centers, with above-average scores in these areas.
  • The city's park system has 400 neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and libraries, with recreation centers being a bright spot, with more than twice the national average per capita.
  • Despite constraints on upkeep, the city has "amazing system of great bones in our neighborhoods" when it comes to recreational facilities.
  • Philadelphia's poor funding situation compared to other U.S. cities is a significant constraint on park upgrades and expansions.

Statistics:

  • 95% of city residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park (Trust for Public Land).
  • Philly's park system contains about 9,200 acres of parks (The Philadelphia Inquirer).
  • 2,000 acres each of Fairmount and Wissahickon Valley parks (The Philadelphia Inquirer).
  • 400 neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and libraries in the city (The Philadelphia Inquirer).
  • $112 per person spent by the city on its park system in 2025, an increase from $86 last year (Trust for Public Land).
  • National average park spending per person is $133 (Trust for Public Land).
  • The city's recreation centers have more than twice the national average per capita (Trust for Public Land).
  • 76% of U.S. cities' residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park (Trust for Public Land).

Sources:

  • The Philadelphia Inquirer
  • Trust for Public Land's "ParkScore" report
  • The William Penn Foundation
  • The Rebuild program