News Summary

St. Petersburg ranks 14th among the 100 largest U.S. cities in the Trust for Public Land’s 2025 ParkScore Index, with a composite score of 70.3. The city excels in park accessibility and amenities, highlighting efforts to provide equitable recreational spaces for residents. Notably, 78% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, with a strong focus on investment in community needs and future park developments.

St. Petersburg Ranks 14th in U.S. for Park Quality with 70.3 Composite Score in 2025 ParkScore Index

St. Petersburg has achieved a notable rank of 14th among the 100 largest cities in the United States according to the Trust for Public Land’s 2025 ParkScore Index. The city garnered a composite score of 70.3 out of 100, marking a significant recognition of its park system’s quality and accessibility.

The ParkScore Index evaluates the effectiveness of city park systems based on five core criteria: access, investment, amenities, acreage, and equity. Of these categories, St. Petersburg excelled particularly in equity and amenities, showcasing its commitment to providing quality recreational spaces for all residents.

Performance in Key Categories

St. Petersburg’s performance across various categories reveals a mixed landscape. The city scored 69 out of 100 for access, indicating that a significant portion of the population can easily reach parks. Notably, about 78% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. This metric is defined as a half-mile distance along a street network while excluding highways.

Moreover, 81% of residents of color and 78% of low-income households have similar access, highlighting the city’s efforts to ensure equity in recreational spaces. The equity score for St. Petersburg is notably high at 86, emphasizing that neighborhoods with greater populations of color have access to 53% more parkland compared to predominantly white neighborhoods.

Investment in the city’s parks averages $213 per resident per year, which also accounts for the value of volunteer labor contributing to park services. However, the acreage category presents a challenge: only 11.4% of land in St. Petersburg is dedicated to parkland, resulting in a relatively low score of 55 points for this metric. The median park size in the city stands at just 3.5 acres, considerably smaller than the average park size found nationally.

Amenities and Facilities

When it comes to amenities, St. Petersburg scores highly. There are about 6.3 permanent restrooms available per 10,000 residents, and the city has made significant provisions for playgrounds, dog parks, and splash pads. However, it falls short in sports facilities, particularly sports fields and basketball hoops, when compared to cities leading the rankings.

Future Developments and Community Perspectives

The ParkScore Index serves as a tool for municipalities, helping them identify areas needing new park developments, especially in neighborhoods lacking accessible parks and facing environmental issues. Following the Index’s findings, city leaders are actively exploring opportunities for land acquisition and potential expansions of parkland, particularly in underserved areas.

One promising prospect is the Tropicana property, which could allow for an increase in park acreage and enhance the recreational offerings in the area. The community of St. Petersburg has expressed a consensus on the importance of parks, recognizing them as essential hubs that foster public health, environmental equity, and a sense of community pride.

Conclusion

With its ranking in the 2025 ParkScore Index, St. Petersburg highlights both its strengths and challenges in park management and accessibility. Continued investment and strategic planning could elevate the city’s standing further while ensuring equitable access to green spaces for all its residents.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Sarasota’s Smart City Initiative Enhances Safety and Connectivity
St. Petersburg Resumes Water Bill Collection Amid Complaints
St. Petersburg Ranks High for Parks in Florida
President Trump’s 50% Tariff Threat Sparks Trade Tension with the EU
Governor Signs State Park Preservation Act in Florida
Tragic Discovery of Missing Teenager in St. Petersburg
Man Gored by Bison at Yellowstone National Park
Trump Proposes Reopening Alcatraz Amid Criminal Justice Debate
St. Petersburg Launches Free Outdoor Fitness Classes
Pinellas County Unveils Stay and Play Promotion Amid Hurricane Preparations

Additional Resources

• St. Pete Parks Rank High in Access and Equity
• Wikipedia: Park
• I Love The Burg: St. Pete Park System
• Google Search: St. Petersburg parks
• WF La: St. Pete Ranks No. 1 in Florida
• Google Scholar: St. Petersburg parks ranking
• I Love The Burg: ParkScore
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Parks and Recreation
• St. Pete Catalyst: Why St. Pete’s Parks Rank Among the Nation’s Best
• Google News: St. Petersburg ParkScore Index