St. Pete Standard

May 22, 2024 – The City of St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation System has advanced in the Trust for Public Land’s ParkScore® index rankings, moving from #15 to #11 nationwide.

The 2024 ParkScore® index evaluates 100 of the nation’s largest cities using mapping technology and demographic data to assess how well each city meets local community needs. Cities are scored in five categories: access, acreage, amenities, equity, and investment.

The St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department employs placemaking strategies to create inclusive and equitably accessible parkland and recreational opportunities while preserving green spaces. According to the 2024 ParkScore® index, 78% of St. Petersburg residents live within a 10-minute walk of a city park. The city's parks feature numerous amenities including 118 basketball hoops, six dog parks, 91 playgrounds, 16 senior and recreation centers, and four splash pads.

“From our vast parks amenities to our recreational classes, we work hard to provide an inclusive, vibrant, and protected parks and recreation system for our community and visitors to enjoy. We are excited to celebrate this new ranking which would not be possible without support of Mayor Ken Welch, St. Pete City Council and dedicated parks and recreation staff,” said Mike Jefferis, Community Enrichment Administrator.

For more details about St. Petersburg’s ParkScore®, visit tpl.org/ParkScore.