Plano’s at it again. The city is the reigning champ of park systems across the state. According to the 2025 ParkScore report from the Trust for Public Land, Plano is leading the state in green space greatness.
Every year, the report ranks 100 of the country’s biggest cities on things like how close you are to a swing set, how many trees you can nap under and how much money the city spends keeping squirrels happy. This year, Plano’s parks took the crown
Why Plano Has Great Parks
Plano leads all Texas cities on the list and ranks 17th nationwide, continuing a strong trend in recent years. The city held the 16th spot in both 2023 and 2024 and reached as high as 15th in 2021 and 2022.
What makes Plano’s parks stand out? According to the report, 81% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, well above the national median of 76%. The city dedicates 10.4% of its land to park space and invests $198 per resident in its park system, compared to a national median of $133 per person.
Park Access Still Varies
While Plano leads in overall quality, the report highlights some disparities in park access. Residents of color in Plano have access to 9% less park space per person than the city average, though the gap compared to white neighborhoods is 0%. Low-income residents face a larger disparity, with 31% less park space per person than the average Plano neighborhood and 34% less than high-income neighborhoods.
Frisco Joins The Rankings
Neighboring Frisco made its debut on the ParkScore Index this year, coming in as the 3rd city in Texas, just behind Dallas. Nationally, Frisco ranks 37th. About 70% of Frisco residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. The city allocates about 5% of its land to parks and spends $258 per resident, higher than Plano and the national median.
Frisco shows a unique pattern in equity: residents in neighborhoods of color have access to 9% more park space per person than the citywide average, but still 5% less than in predominantly white neighborhoods. Park access in low-income areas matches the city average but falls 15% short of access in high-income neighborhoods.
A Regional Commitment To Green Space
With Plano leading, Dallas holding steady and Frisco climbing the ranks, North Texas is making a strong case for parks as a key element of urban quality of life. As cities grow, these rankings show where investments are paying off, and where there's still work to do.
Want to know more about Plano’s parks? Be sure to check out Local Profile’s park guide here.
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