A recent study named Plano, Texas one of the best cities for parks. The ranking for Plano was based on how it compares nationally on five characteristics of an excellent park system: acreage, access, investment, amenities and equity.
The Trust for Public Land’s yearly park score revealed that the average distance most people are willing to walk to reach a destination is 10 minutes or roughly half a mile. In Plano, 82% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park.
According to the park score residents in cities with high park score rankings are, on average, more socially connected to and engaged in their communities than people in lower-ranking cities.
However, in neighborhoods predominantly inhabited by people of color nationwide, parks are typically half the size of those in predominantly white neighborhoods. Despite their smaller size, these parks serve five times as many people per acre. In Plano, neighborhoods with predominantly people of color have 9% less park space per person compared to the city's average, but 5% more than their counterparts in predominantly white neighborhoods.
The study also found that nationwide, parks catering to low-income households are one-fourth the size of those catering to high-income households, yet they accommodate four times as many people per acre. In Plano, residents in low-income neighborhoods have 30% less park space per person compared to the city's average, and 31% less than those in high-income neighborhoods.
Local Profile previously reported that Collin County opened applications for Parks & Open Space funds, aiming to support land acquisition, trail development and park enhancements.
Since its establishment in 1999, the Collin County Project Funding Assistance Program facilitated numerous projects, including land acquisition, trail development and facility improvements. With the recent approval of a $20 million bond proposition for Parks and Open Space in 2023, Collin County aims to further enhance its recreational offerings and environmental conservation efforts.
Visit the link here to check out Plano’s many great parks.
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