MINNEAPOLIS — The Twin Cities are being recognized once again as two of the top places in the entire country for parks.
Trust for Public Land ranked Minneapolis second and St. Paul third in its annual ParkScore ratings, behind only Washington, D.C.
Minneapolis received a perfect score for investment in its parks, noting that $318 is spent per capita each year on public parks and recreation. The city also received high marks for access, with 99% of Minneapolis residents living within a 10-minute walk of a public park; however, the report shows the city's park space isn't always equitable, with more park space in predominantly white and high-income neighborhoods. Minneapolis was also highly rated for amenities, with perfect scores for access to bathroom, rec and senior centers, basketball hoops and splashpads.
“It is an honor to rank among the very best city park systems in the United States. We’re proud that 99 percent of Minneapolis residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, and that our new park will provide riverfront access on the Northside of Minneapolis,” said Al Bangoura, superintendent of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, in a statement. “We are committed to equitable investments in park improvements and programming, and to increasing access to parks in low-income neighborhoods and areas where residents identify as people of color.”
St. Paul also received high marks for investment ($242 per capita) and access, with 99% of St. Paul residents also within a 10-minute walk from a public park. St. Paul's park space was also more equitable than Minneapolis. Minnesota's capital city also received perfect amenity scores for bathrooms, rec and senior centers, and basketball hoops.
St. Paul Parks and Recreation Director Andy Rodriguez said he is proud of a consistent high score.
"St. Paul specifically has been in the top 10 For the last decade, which is an amazing accomplishment," he said.
“Park leaders are stepping up to promote community connection and address the national epidemic of loneliness and social isolation,” said Diane Regas, president and CEO of Trust for Public Land, in a statement. “By mixing tried and true strategies like fitness classes and sports leagues with innovative ideas like intergenerational storytime, where senior volunteers share their favorite books with children, cities are finding creative ways to bring people together and strengthen community bonds. We’re impressed by what we’ve seen this year, and we will continue working with cities throughout the United States to support park access for all.”
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