The 2025 Trust for Public Land ParkScore Index is in, and Plano remains the highest city in Texas at #17 in the country.
The index includes a variety of metrics, like median park size, the percent of residents within a 10-minute walk of a park, the percent of city area reserved for parks, and the amount the city spends on parks per resident.
“We’re seeing inspiring momentum across the Dallas metroplex, and it reflects what we at Trust for Public Land believe at our core: everyone deserves access to the healing, unifying power of the outdoors,” said Molly Morgan, Texas State Director of the Trust for Public Land. “When we invest in parks—especially in neighborhoods that have long gone without—we’re investing in healthier families, stronger communities, and a deeper sense of belonging. These ParkScore® improvements are more than numbers on a page; they represent real progress for real people. I’m proud of what is happening in Texas—and even more excited for what’s ahead.”
Plano dropped from 16 to 17 from last year, but maintained its high ranking with 81% of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park, 10.4% of city area reserved for parks and $198 per resident devoted to parks (up from $181 in 2024).
Other North Texas cities included: Dallas at #34, Frisco at #37 (first time being included), Arlington at #46, Garland at #67, Fort Worth at #72 and Irving at #99.
“Parks bring people together and deliver enormous physical and mental health benefits for visitors,” said Carrie Besnette Hauser, President and CEO of Trust for Public Land. “At a time when so much in our nation seems fractured or polarized, parks may be the last ideology-free zones, where everyone can come together, form meaningful relationships, and enjoy a few hours of peace and relaxation. At Trust for Public Land, we will continue to work with park departments and leaders at all levels of government to realize the full community-building potential for parks.”
