Trust for Public Land has again ranked both Minneapolis and St. Paul among the nation’s best big-city park systems in its 2026 ParkScore index, with Minneapolis placing third and St. Paul fourth nationally.

The annual rankings evaluate park systems in the 100 largest U.S. cities using factors including park access, equity, acreage, investment and amenities. Washington, DC retained the top overall ranking for the sixth consecutive year, narrowly ahead of Irvine.

St. Paul continued to score highly for overall park access and system quality. According to Trust for Public Land, the rankings are considered one of the nation’s leading benchmarks for evaluating urban park systems.

The organization also released a companion economic report concluding that city parks generate roughly $3 in public benefits for every $1 invested through improved health outcomes, stormwater management, recreation access and other community impacts.

“This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our staff, partners, and community members who care for and champion our shared public spaces,” said Andy Rodriguez, director of St. Paul Parks and Recreation. “Parks are essential infrastructure that support public health, environmental stewardship, and quality of life throughout St. Paul.”

Trust for Public Land reported that 88% of Americans visited a public park during the past year, while more than half of survey respondents said they wanted to spend more time outdoors. The organization said residents frequently use parks for exercise, stress reduction and spending time with family and friends.

The full ParkScore rankings and methodology are available through tpl.org.