The 2026 ParkScore Index is out and Plano has maintained its first-in-state status while rising to 13th in the nation.<\/p>\n
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The Trust for Public Land\u2019<\/a>s annual ParkScore Index ranking America\u2019s biggest cities on their parks came out this morning, and Plano has risen<\/a> higher than ever at #13 in the nation and #1 in the state.<\/p>\n \u201cAmericans from all walks of life love their local parks, and they want leaders to invest in them,\u201d said Carrie Besnette Hauser, president and CEO of Trust for Public Land. \u201cThe 2026 ParkScore rankings and results show why: parks deliver real returns, generating $3 in economic benefits for every $1 invested, while improving physical and mental health and Plano\u2019s ranking, up four spots from last year, comes from three key data points: 85% of residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park, 10.5% of the city\u2019s area is reserved for parks and $228 per resident is spent on parks.<\/p>\n Other Texas cities also climbed the ranks. Irving went from #99 to #71. Fort Worth went from #72 to #58.<\/p>\n \u201cTexas is proving that park access is not a coastal priority. It is a Texas priority. Cities across the Lone Star State are making serious investments, opening new parks, partnering with school districts, and closing gaps that have existed for decades. They\u2019re showing what\u2019s possible when Texas gets serious about parks,\u201d said Molly Morgan, Texas State Director and Associate Vice President of Trust for Public Land. \u201cThe progress reported in the 2026 ParkScore index is fantastic, but the job isn\u2019t done. Nine million Texans still lack access to park within a 10-minute walk of their homes, and we\u2019re determined to drive that number lower.\u201d<\/p>\n
strengthening communities. TPL is committed to working with cities nationwide to expand access to high-quality parks and unlock their multitude of benefits for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n