Seattle parks top-ranked for 5th straight year

Seattle ranks eighth in the nation for park systems, according to the 2025 Trust for Public Land rankings, marking its fifth consecutive year in the top 10. The city's parks are highly accessible, with 99% of residents living within a 10-minute walk, far surpassing the national average of 76%. Despite dropping two spots from last year, this decline is attributed to advancements in Cincinnati and San Francisco rather than any local changes. Seattle significantly invests in green spaces, spending $418 per resident, which is more than triple the U. S.

average of $133. While the city's median park size of 5. 4 acres matches national norms, it slightly tempered its overall ranking. Washington, D. C.

, took the top spot due to high access and investment scores. Trust president Carrie Besnette Hauser highlighted parks as vital community spaces in a divided society, where people can connect and find tranquility. This ranking underscores the city's commitment to maintaining a robust park system that benefits its residents.