Washington, D.C., retained its title as the top city for public parks for a fifth consecutive year.
The Trust for Public Land’s 2025 ParkScore Index ranked Washington as the top city, followed closely by Irvine, California; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Cincinnati, Ohio. Arlington, Virginia, located across the Potomac River from Washington, ranked seventh on the list.
Washington ranked first on the list partly because of accessibility to parks. Ninety-nine percent of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, and 23% of the city’s land is reserved for parks.
“We’re proud that for the fifth year in a row, our park system has earned the top spot,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a statement. “This recognition is a testament to our continued investments in parks, playgrounds, and recreation centers across all eight wards, where residents and visitors alike come together to relax, play, and build community.”
“From neighborhood playgrounds to the National Mall, we’re proud to have a park system that is accessible, beautiful, and welcoming. Especially as we head into the summer, we invite everyone to come experience all that DC parks have to offer,” Bowser added.
The National Park Service manages a significant portion of Washington’s land. The city boasts various large parks, including the National Mall and Rock Creek Park, which help it rank among public parks. Washington received a ParkScore of 85.5 out of 100.
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The Trust for Public Land noted Irvine’s continued work on the Great Park, which helped it rise from fourth place in 2024 to second overall in 2025. The rankings are determined by park access, equity, acreage, investment, and amenities.
According to the rankings, Boise, Idaho, was rated as the best park system for dogs, and Las Vegas, Nevada, ranked as the top park system for playgrounds.