Houston’s Park System Ranks Among the Best in Texas
Houston has earned the No. 8 spot for the best park system in Texas, according to the Trust for Public Land’s 2025 ParkScore report. This ranking is based on accessibility, equity, acreage, investment, and amenities in 100 of the largest American cities.
National Rankings
The top spot nationwide goes to Washington, D.C., for another consecutive year, followed by Irvine, California, at No. 2; Minneapolis, Minnesota, at No. 3; Cincinnati, Ohio, at No. 4; and St. Paul, Minnesota, at No. 5. Houston ranked 66th nationally for 2025, showing a two-spot improvement from last year’s No. 68.
Houston’s Park System Highlights
The city boasts an impressive 43,139 acres dedicated to parks, which is about 12.2 percent of the total city area. Houston invests $127 per resident in its park system, compared to the national median of $133 per resident. With over 700 parks, locals and visitors have ample opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
Importance of Parks
According to Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser, president and CEO of Trust for Public Land, "Parks bring people together and deliver enormous physical and mental health benefits for visitors. At a time when so much in our nation seems fractured or polarized, parks may be the last ideology-free zones, where everyone can come together, form meaningful relationships, and enjoy a few hours of peace and relaxation."
Room for Improvement
While Houston’s park system is commendable, there is still room for improvement in terms of accessibility. About 63 percent of all Houston residents live within a half mile of a park, whereas nationally, 76 percent of Americans in the 100 most populous cities live within a 10-minute walk of a park on average.
Park Rankings in Texas
Dallas-Fort Worth cities dominated the list of best park systems in Texas for 2025. Plano, a Dallas suburb, ranked No. 1 statewide and 17th nationally, followed by Dallas in second place and 34th nationally. Other Texas cities ranked as follows:
- No. 65 – El Paso
- No. 67 – Garland
- No. 72 – Fort Worth
- No. 76 – Laredo
- No. 77 – Corpus Christi
- No. 94 – Lubbock
- No. 99 – Irving
Conclusion
In conclusion, Houston’s park system is a valuable asset to the city, offering numerous benefits to residents and visitors alike. While there is room for improvement, particularly in terms of accessibility, the city’s ranking as the No. 8 best park system in Texas is a notable achievement. With its significant investment in parks and dedication to providing green spaces, Houston continues to be a desirable place to live, work, and play.
