Denver's city parks rank 10th in the nation
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Denver's park system is the 10th-best in the nation after jumping three spots in the 2025 rankings from the Trust for Public Land.
Why it matters: City parks serve as community meeting spots and civic spaces, offer room for exercise and fresh air, and can draw in new residents — but they require investment, attention and protection.
Driving the news: New park openings in the last year, as well as more investment in the parks system, moved Denver up the list, the conservation organization reported.
- 97% of residents now live within a 10-minute walk of a park, up from 93% a year ago and well above the 76% national average.
- Denver spends $229 per resident on parks. The national average is $133.
Between the lines: Aurora ranked 48th and Colorado Springs landed at 52nd.
What they did: The report evaluates the 100 most populous U.S. cities' park systems relative to one another based on five categories: acreage, access, amenities, investment and equity.
What they found: Washington, D.C. took home top honors thanks in part to big access and investment scores.
- Irvine, California, came in second, while Minneapolis ranked third.
What's next: Denver is preparing to open the 155-acre Park Hill Golf Course as a public park later this year.