The city rose four spots for its outdoor spaces and amenities for residents.
In Philadelphia, 95% of residents live within a ten-minute walk of a city park. That is significantly higher than the national average of 76%. The city has about 9,200 acres of parks. Fairmount and Wissahickon Valley parks consist of about 2,000 acres each. The city holds about 400 neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and libraries as well.
With great park access and amenities, Philly has risen four spots on the national ranking of city parks, securing the 28th spot on the Trust for Public Land’s “ParkScore” index for 2025. In 2024, the city was ranked 32nd on the index. Stronger marks for park access and amenities contributed to Philly’s ascension to the top 30 on the list.
According to the ranking, Philly ranks in the top ten nationally for splash pads and other water features in its city parks. It also received high marks for recreation and availability of senior centers, according to the index.
The trust recognized Philly’s increase in spending on its public parks as a reason for its rise in the national rankings. In 2025, the city spent $112 per person on its parks. In 2024, it spent only $86 per person. The national average is $133.
In a recent interview, Will Klein, the trust’s research director, referred to the index as “friendly competition”.
“You’re scored relative to how you’re doing relative to your peers. Any time you’re moving up, that’s a good thing and reflects well on the direction of the city park system,” Klein said.
Philly’s score was limited by its below-average marks for park acreage at 3.1 acres being the median for local parks. The national median is 5.4 acres.
According to analysis, the city has more than twice the national average per capita in terms of recreation centers.
Susan Slawson, Philadelphia’s parks and recreation commissioner, has credited Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s vision for a “clean and green city” as one of the reasons Philly has moved up in the national rankings for city parks.
