With over 325 uniquely designed local parks, Denver has spaces to gather, play and relax for everyone to enjoy. While visiting parks is fun, studies confirm that they’re also essential to a healthy quality of life, especially in an urban environment. Taking a break from concrete and high rises to hang out in green space boosts our mental and physical well-being.
To capture these dynamics, Trust for Public Land recently released its annual ParkScore Index, which ranks park systems among the country’s 100 most populous cities. This year, Denver ranked 18th, matching their score from 2021. In contrast, Aurora and Colorado Springs were bumped down to 33rd and 58th, respectively. Access to parks and green space is an essential function of a healthy community, which underscores the need for this type of ranking system.
READ: 19 Parks In And Around Denver You Must Check Out
Ranking America’s City Park Systems
Inspiration Point Park. Photo by Marissa Kozma.
Trust for Public Land uses the following metrics to rank 100 park systems:
Park equity: Evaluates per capita park space and easy park access in communities of color in relation to white communities.
Park access: Measures park walkability for residents.
Park acreage: Marks median park size and percentage of the city dedicated to parks.
Park investment: Park spending per resident.
Park amenities: The fun stuff. It measures the presence of six major park features: Basketball hoops, off-leash dog parks, playgrounds, splash pads, recreation and senior centers, and restrooms.
How Denver Ranked
According to the report, 89% of Denver residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. The national average is 75%. Discrepancies in walkability based on age, race and income are less pronounced than in past years. For example, 89% of high and low-income residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, while 88% of middle-income residents live within 10 minutes of one. Pacific Islander residents have the least walkability at 83%, while 91% of Indigenous and Hispanic residents are within 10 minutes of a park, having the highest walkability.
There is one critical aspect of parks the report does not measure: Park maintenance. While park spending is included, it doesn’t necessarily correlate with park maintenance. Living within walking distance of a park isn’t the same as living within walking distance of an accessible, clean and modernized park. Local reports capture additional discrepancies between park maintenance in different neighborhoods.
Impact on Climate Change
Alamo Placita Park. Photo by Kyle Cooper.
This year, Trust for Public Land released a special report highlighting the efforts of park systems in combatting or mitigating climate change.
Urban parks can play a core role in heat management for residents. Dense city environments absorb and intensify heat for longer periods of time. As heatwaves and intense rainstorms become more frequent, urban residents need more access to water, shade and high capacity storm drains.
Unfortunately, Denver and Aurora don’t have to worry about a heavy rain season. But residents can expect one of the hottest summers on record, and shade will be essential. Parks provide a cooler place to rest and play since grass doesn’t heat up to the same degree as concrete.
The effects of climate change have close ties to exacerbating existing inequality. For example, middle and higher-income people have a better chance of surviving heat waves unscathed than lower-income residents who lack AC units. Leveraging parks to close the gap in health effects caused by climate change is critical for cities. The special report found that Denver, Aurora and Colorado Springs are all leaders in using local parks to mitigate the effects of climate change.
“Investing in natural solutions like trails, shade and green spaces can cool temperatures by up to six degrees and help prevent flooding. That’s why Trust for Public Land is working with park advocates and municipal leaders across the United States to close the outdoor equity gap and ensure that quality parks are available to everyone. Parks inspire joy and happiness and help cities meet the climate crisis,” Diane Regas, president and CEO of Trust for Public Land, said in a statement.
What to Do With ParkScore Rankings
Cheesman Park. Photo by MJ.
Providing transparent and accessible park information for city residents remains a core intention behind developing the yearly audit. While parks and recreation departments take the reports into account, the actual ability to expand park access and improve existing parks falls under other municipal bodies. In Denver’s case, Denver City Council allocates and approves the city budget for Denver Parks and Recreation.
While Denver and Aurora ranked well, there’s more work to be done. While parks are abound, many need repairs and increased functions and amenities, such as shaded areas, playgrounds and working water fountains. Additionally, neighborhoods like Five Points and Westwood still lack proper green space to begin with. An interactive map created by Trust for Public Land marks areas where parks are needed in purple. Some of the most concentrated areas include Five Points, Park Hill and Sun Valley.
“Talk to your city council members, state legislators and representatives in Washington. Tell them you want more investment in parks, trees, trails and other nature-based solutions, especially in neighborhoods that need them most,” Bill Lee, senior vice president for Policy, Advocacy and Government Relations at Trust for Public Land, said in a statement.
Keep up with the latest from Denver Parks and Recreation on their website.