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If you've ever spent an afternoon lounging on the National Mall, wandering through Rock Creek Park or picnicking in one of the capital’s many neighborhood green spaces, this probably won’t come as much of a surprise: Washington, D.C., has once again been named home to the best park system in the United States.
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The nonprofit Trust for Public Land has released its 2026 ParkScore Index, the annual ranking of park systems in America’s 100 largest cities, and Washington, D.C., claimed the top spot for the sixth consecutive year. The nation’s capital edged out Irvine, California, which finished second, followed by Minneapolis, St. Paul and Cincinnati. San Francisco, Arlington, Seattle, Portland and Chicago rounded out the top 10.
The rankings are considered the gold standard for evaluating urban parks, measuring everything from accessibility and equity to acreage, amenities and public investment. Washington excelled across the board, since more than 21 percent of the city’s land area is dedicated to parks, one of the highest proportions in the country, while the district also scored particularly well for park access and equity.
The report arrives alongside a new Trust for Public Land analysis arguing that parks aren't just nice places to spend an afternoon—they're one of the smartest public investments that cities can make. According to the organization's findings, every dollar invested in city parks generates roughly three dollars in economic benefits through improved public health, stormwater management, recreation opportunities and other community services.
That return is reflected in how Americans actually use their local green spaces. A companion national survey found that 88 percent of U.S. residents visited a public park at least once during the past year, while 54 percent said they want to spend more time outdoors. Respondents cited exercise, mental health benefits and time with family and friends as the leading reasons they head to parks. In fact, parks were visited more frequently than any other publicly accessible venue surveyed, including bars and restaurants.
The rankings also highlighted standout cities in specific categories. Boise earned recognition as the nation's most dog-friendly park system thanks to its abundance of off-leash areas. St. Paul ranked first for basketball courts, Cincinnati topped the list for playgrounds and Boston claimed the crown for splash pads and water-play features.
Not every city had reason to celebrate. Los Angeles fell to 93rd place—its lowest ranking ever and its seventh consecutive annual decline—while several Texas cities posted major gains thanks to new park openings and increased investment.
Still, the overall message of this year’s report is clear: Americans love parks, use them often and overwhelmingly support spending more money on them. And for at least another year, Washington, D.C., remains the standard for what an urban park system can be.