Buffalo’s parks get middling ‘ParkScore’ among 100 largest cities

Buffalo’s parks get middling ‘ParkScore’ among 100 largest cities

Buffalo’s parks get middling ‘ParkScore’ among 100 largest cities

Buffalo has 1,913 acres of parkland, representing 8 percent of land in the city. Nationally, the average is 9.3 percent. (Photo credit: Robert Kirkham / Buffalo News)

“Buffalo has long taken pride in its parks, but a national nonprofit group ranks the Queen City’s system as near the middle among cities nationwide,” reports Aaron Besecker for The Buffalo News. “The Trust for Public Land puts Buffalo’s parks at No. 58 among the 100 biggest cities in terms of its ‘ParkScore,’ which looks at park acreage, public access, investment, and amenities, the group said.”

“The organization, which looked at data for land owned by regional, state and federal agencies in the city, reviewed categories including parks spending per capita, the number of playgrounds, dog parks, recreation centers, and basketball hoops, as well as how many people live within a 10-minute walk of a park.”

“On a scale of a 100, Buffalo got a ParkScore of 46.5, which put it just ahead of Arlington, Texas, and just behind Phoenix. Minneapolis had the best ranking in the country, according to the analysis. Fort Wayne and Indianapolis were tied for the worst ranking.”

“Despite the ranking from the Trust for Public Land, Buffalo has received accolades for its parks, including in 2014 when the American Planning Association put Delaware Park on its list of ’10 Great Public Spaces.'”

For key findings about Buffalo, read the full story here