A recent ranking of park systems across the nation placed Arlington fourth, not far behind neighboring DC.
The ranking, which was conducted by the Trust for Public Land's ParkScore index, ranked the top 100 localities based on access, acreage, amenities, and investment.
Playground at Lacey Woods Park in Arlington County
Arlington earned top marks for its park investment(amount spent on parks per resident), with 89 out of 100 on its amenities (such as basketball hoops, playgrounds, and dog parks. It also scored 99 out of 100 on access to parks (the portion of residents within a ten-minute walk to a park). A press release by the County Government noted that the park access score had inched up from 98% last year and exceeded DC in both access and amenities.
However, Arlington scored lowest at 38% on acreage-- the median park and percent of areas dedicated to parks.
“Arlington fell behind on park acreage,” a press release noted. “The [county] reserves 11 percent of city area for parks, compared to the District’s 24 percent. The nonprofit organization reported overall progress for parks this year but warned that city park systems have reached a critical tipping point, as widening inequities [in] park access and COVID-related budget cuts risk irreversible damage in 2020 and beyond.”
This is the third year in a row that Arlington has been ranked fourth, recovering from a sixth place in ranking in 2017.
“We are proud to be recognized again this year for our outstanding park and recreation system,” Jane Rudolph, Director of Arlington’s Department of Parks and Recreation, said in a county press release. “The County’s ongoing commitment coupled with the involvement and support of our residents makes Arlington’s park and recreation system what it is today – a valued resource for our diverse community. And though our parks are temporarily closed due to COVID-19, our great park system is one that can be used long into the future.”
The top three places on the ranking were Minneapolis, Washington DC, and Saint Paul, Minnesota.
“When stay-at-home orders permitted, people increasingly turned to parks, trails, and public open spaces to connect with nature, exercise, and enhance their mental and physical health,” said Diane Regas, President and CEO of The Trust for Public Land, in a press release. “Residents deeply value parks, but continued inequity and the risk of future budget cuts threaten severe damage to the park systems that make many cities so livable.”
Charity W. is a professional and skilled writer with a diploma in Mass Communication. When she is not glued to her computer screen, Charity spends her time reading, traveling, and watching movies. She is an expert on Arlington Virginia and keeps current with local events and occurrences.
