The Sunshine City’s 168 parks throughout the city support the active outdoor lifestyle of those who work, live, and play in St. Petersburg. In the latest ParkScore Index by the Trust for Public Land, St. Pete was ranked the top park system in Florida and 14th nationally, with 78% of St. Pete residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park.
ParkScore evaluates park systems throughout the U.S. on five characteristics:
- Access: Portion of residents within a 10-minute walk of a park (78% in St. Pete vs the national average of 55%)
- Acreage: Median park size and percentage of area devoted to parks (The City of St. Pete dedicates 12% of its land to parks and recreation)
- Investment: Park spending per resident (St. Pete invests more than 40% more per person than the national average)
- Amenities: Features like basketball hoops, playgrounds, and dog parks (St. Pete is a certified Better Cities for Pets city)
- Equity: Distribution of parks and park acres according to race and income (Low-income and non-white St. Pete residents have more park space than those in high-income/white neighborhoods)
When compared to the 100 largest U.S. cities, St. Petersburg’s park amenities scored better than average in all categories, especially in bathrooms (100th percentile), dog parks (85th percentile), playgrounds (84th percentile), and recreation and senior centers (78th percentile).
St. Pete ranked higher nationally than many major cities known for outdoor activities, including Austin (#54), San Diego (#22), and Nashville (#74).
The Trust for Public Land notes, “parks are essential for public health, climate resilience, and strong connected communities,” and St. Petersburg residents enjoy one of the country’s best park systems.
For a breakdown of St. Pete’s winning ParkScore, visit The Trust for Public Land.
For a guide to some of St. Pete’s best parks, see I Love the ‘Burg’s “The Best Parks to Visit in St. Pete.”
