Atlanta ranks 25th in Trust for Public Land’s newly released index

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Piedmont Park

Credit: File photo

Trust for Public Land released its 2024 ParkScore index ranking with Atlanta advancing to 25th among the largest 100 U.S. cities nationwide. Atlanta climbed three spots over last year’s 28th ranking and achieved its highest finish in ParkScore history.

“Access to quality parks and greenspaces across our city has remained a top priority throughout my administration, which is why I created the City’s first Greenspace Advisory Council my second month in office. Atlanta’s parks and recreational areas play a vital role in creating healthy, connected communities where families and friends make memories that last a lifetime,” Mayor Andre Dickens said in a press release. “This recognition for our parks system is a testament to strategic investments and innovative planning. Thank you to our Department of Parks and Recreation team for the hard work to get us this far, and the dedication to our city that will propel us even further.” 

Through the City of Atlanta Department of Parks & Recreation’s (DPR) Activate ATL 10-year masterplan, Atlanta joins major cities across the nation in a long-term effort to develop parks and greenspaces within a 10-minute walk from home in nearly every community. The 2024 ParkScore index shows 79% of Atlanta residents currently live within a 10-minute walk of a park, exceeding the national ParkScore average of 76%.

Atlanta also continues to outperform on park investment. The City invests $249 per person on parks, twice the national ParkScore average of $124 per person. The City’s investment scores benefitted significantly from the passage of infrastructure ballot measures in 2022. DPR led various capital improvement projects in 2023. Among those was a groundbreaking at Standing Peachtree Park—the first park to provide direct access to the Chattahoochee River. In December 2023, the City also celebrated the opening of West Cascade Park, the first and only park in Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) Q.

The Department is committed to providing equitable access to parks and greenspaces across Atlanta zip codes.

“The team and our many partners have worked hard over the past few years to get to this place,” Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Justin Cutler said in the release. “We will continue our work together as we strive to connect all our neighbors to a safe 10-minute walk to a park and greenspace. Mayor Andre Dickens and I are committed to making Atlanta the best place to raise a child and safe parks and greenspaces makes that possible.”

Accompanying the annual ratings list, Trust for Public Land published new research reporting that residents of cities with high ParkScore rankings are, on average, more socially connected and engaged with their neighbors than are residents of cities with lower-ranking park systems. Residents of higher-ranking cities are 60% more likely to volunteer than residents of lower-ranking cities and 26% more likely to form friendships with people in different socio-economic groups. A strong body of research indicates that relationships crossing income divides increase economic mobility and reduce inequality. Social connections also lead to better physical and mental health.

Learn more about Atlanta’s score online here.

This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with Rough Draft Atlanta.