The St. Petersburg park system is ranked 15th in the nation.

ST. PETERSBURG – The Trust for Public Land, a national not-for-profit with a mission to “create parks and protect land for people,” has ranked the city of St. Petersburg’s park system No. 1 in Florida and No. 15 in the nation this year’s ParkScore rating.

The 2018 ParkScore index analyzed 100 of the largest U.S. cities using a mapping technology and demographic data to determine how well each city is meeting the need for parks. Each city was scored in four different categories:

• Acreage – median park size;
• Investment – spending per resident;
• Amenities – an average of six key park facilities on a per capita basis;
• Access – percentage of population living within a 10-minute walk of a public park

St. Petersburg ranked higher than several major cities known for their active and outdoor lifestyle including, San Diego, CA; Denver, CO; and Austin, TX.

“Our parks, which are as diverse as our people, are part of what make St. Petersburg such a special place,” St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman said. ” It is why I have expanded our parkland during my time as mayor, and fought to preserve the sanctity of our parks, especially our treasured waterfront. I want to thank the Trust for Land for rating our parks as the best in Florida. Many thanks as well to our parks and recreation team for all they work they do.”

Said Mike Jefferis, leisure services administrator: “Our parks provide a place for the St. Pete community to get together for recreational activities and for youth to play, learn and explore. From exercise zones and free yoga in the park to annual festivals and movies in the park, St. Pete’s parks offer something for everyone.”

For more about the 2018 ParkScore index, go to parkscore.tpl.org/rankings.php

Photo shows the live oak path on Lake Maggiore.

St. Petersburg | Parks | Trust for Public Land | Tampabay News

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