Richmond parks climb to No. 16 in U.S.
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Richmond's public park system is now the 16th best in the country, according to an annual parks ranking.
Why it matters: That's a jump from last year's No. 22 ranking and way up from its No. 39 place the year before.
State of play: The Trust for Public Land, a pro-park nonprofit, annually scores the 100 most populous U.S. cities' park systems based on access, acreage, amenities, equity and investment.
- For the last two years, Richmond scored best for equity — that's how close low-income locals and neighborhoods with the highest concentration of people of color live to parks.
- But in the latest ranking, our parks saw the hight score, and biggest year-over-year increase, for amenities.
- That's the fun stuff locals can find in parks, like basketball courts, sports fields, splash pads and playgrounds — and last year Richmond starting adding more of them, per a news release.
New city park amenities include new indoor and outdoor playgrounds at Southside Community Center, playground replacements citywide (which is still happening) and an under-construction splash pad at TB Smith Community Center.
Meanwhile, the city has slowly been increasing its parks spending, which also bolstered its score.
- Last year, Richmond spent $186 per resident on parks, up from the $135 it spent the year before — and the $99 per capita it spent in 2022.
What they're saying: "Richmond's park score reflects the incredible progress we've made in making our city one of the best places to live, play, and connect," said city parks director Chris Frelke said in a statement.
