CINCINNATI — Cincinnati remained in the top 10 according to the annual rating of parks, completed by the Trust for Public Land, but fell two spots from 6th to 8th over the past year. 

In similar fashion, Cleveland fell from its 26th ranking in 2023 to 31 this year. However, Columbus improved by 10 spots, moving from its 56th ranking to 46th raking.

Trust for Public land ranked the No. 1 city as Washington D.C. for the fourth year in a row.

What You Need To Know

  • The ranking is based on park  access, investment, amenities, acreage and equity

  • Cincinnati has 377 parks, Cleveland has 186 parks and Columbus has 551

  • Cincinnati fell two spaces from its 2023 rankings

  • Columbus rose 10 spaces in its ranking while Cleveland fell five spaces

The ParkScore index works to compare parks nationally based on five categories reflective of an excellent city park system: access, investment, amenities, acreage and equity.

Cincinnati has 377 parks, Cleveland has 186 parks and Columbus has 551.

“Park leaders are stepping up to promote community connection and address the national epidemic of loneliness and social isolation,” said Diane Regas, president and CEO of Trust for Public Land in a news release. “By mixing tried and true strategies like fitness classes and sports leagues with innovative ideas like intergenerational storytime, where senior volunteers share their favorite books with children, cities are finding creative ways to bring people together and strengthen community bonds. We’re impressed by what we’ve seen this year, and we will continue working with cities throughout the United States to support park access for all.”  

Columbus scored 53.3 out of 100 based on the five categories. The city scored above 60 in three of the five categories; acreage, access and equity. Cincinnati's overall score was 75.8 out of 100 with category scores varying, scoring over 70 in four categories; access, investment, amenities and equity. Meanwhile Cleveland scored a total of 57.9 out of 100, with scores above 70 in two categories; access and equity.

All three cities can boast strong access to parks. Each population showed more than 70% lived within a 10 minute walk to a park nearby across the board. Columbus had 71%, Cincinnati had 88% and Cleveland had 81%. The median of the most populous U.S. cities was 74% while the median of all urban cities and towns was 55%.

Similarly, the median amount of land used nationally across cities for parks is 15%. While Cincinnati uses 16% of its land for parks, narrowly rising above the national. Columbus uses 11% of its land and Cleveland uses only 7% of its land for parks and recreation.

For a complete list of the rankings, click here.