The Trust for Public Land, a national, nonprofit organization, operates ParkScore, a measurement of how well the largest park systems in the U.S. are meeting public need. ParkScore compares and explores 50 cities’ park systems, ranking them in terms of acreage, services and investment, and access. Each city receives a ParkScore rating in the form of park benches. Five benches means the park system is outstanding, while one bench means the park system needs major improvements.

Minneapolis, Minn., leads the pack with a score of 81 out of 100 and five benches. New York City, N.Y., comes in second with 73.5 points and four and a half benches. But how did other cities’ park systems in The Municipal’s coverage area hold up in the first quarter of 2013?

(Source: parkscore.tpl.org/rankings_advanced.php)

1. Minneapolis, Minn. – 5 benches
ParkScore: 81

2. New York, N.Y. – 5 benches
ParkScore: 73.5

14. Philadelphia, Pa. – 4.5 benches
ParkScore: 62.5

16. Chicago, Ill. – 3.5 benches
ParkScore: 61

19. Milwaukee, Wis. – 3 benches
ParkScore: 57.5

23. Kansas City, Mo. – 2.5 benches
ParkScore: 51.5

25. Cleveland, Ohio – 2.5 benches
ParkScore: 50

26. Detroit, Mich. – 2.5 benches
ParkScore: 48.5

37. Columbus, Ohio – 2 benches
ParkScore: 40

38. Nashville, Tenn. – 2 benches
ParkScore: 39

42. Memphis, Tenn. – 1.5 benches
Park Score: 37.5

47. Indianapolis, Ind. – 1 bench
Park Score: 30

49. Louisville, Ky. – 1 bench
ParkScore: 29