Trust for Public Land released a report stating that the 77 largest city park systems in the U.S. cover more than 1.3 million acres, and also added 5,000 acres of parkland over the past year. According to the Trust for Public Land, big-city park departments last year offered 56 million urban residents 10,419 park playgrounds, 1,290 swimming pools, 466 dog parks, and 386 public golf courses, while spending $5.7 billion on their park and recreation systems.

Within the big cities, there are 20,705 parks. Cities that provide large amounts of parkland per 1,000 residents include Jacksonville, Albuquerque, El Paso, Virginia Beach, and Kansas City, Mo. Denser cities that offer residents the most green space include St. Paul, Minneapolis, Washington, D.C., and Seattle. Anchorage, Alaska offers the most parkland within its city limits. The report cites the gargantuan Chugach State Park that resides with Anchorage.

Peter Harnik, director of the Trust’s Center for City Park Excellence said: “We’ve seen reports about cuts around the country, but we cannot confirm this until next year’s survey data. Keeping park budgets strong keeps these prized spaces nurtured when residents have less money to travel. A great park system needs the constant attention of the city and the constant vigilance of its park users and advocates.” This is particularly true given recent news on the massive California state government cuts to the parks budget.

– Courtesy of ASLA