We love our local parks. Our huge waterfront parks system is one of the largest in America, and a recent study adds even more praise to our green spaces. The City of St. Petersburg, Florida ranks No. 1 in Florida and No. 11 in the nation for park systems by the Trust for Public Land (TPL) in this year’s ParkScore® index, which analyzed 100 of the largest U.S. cities to determine how well each city is meeting the needs for parks.

The ParkScore index ranking was based on five characteristics: access, acreage, amenities, equity, and investment. 

According to TPL, 78% of St. Pete residents are within a 10-minute walk of a park. St. Pete is no stranger to being in the top 15; however, the City continues to climb in the ranking as it aims to create an inclusive and equitably accessible park and recreation system. You can learn more about the score and our parks system online.

You can play volleyball or use the free outdoor gym at North Shore Park, enjoy a boardwalk stroll around Sawgrass Lake Park, play frisbee golf at Maximo Park, view Tampa Bay Watch’s living shoreline at Lassing Park, and on occasion catch theater in the park at Demens Landing. Check our list of the best parks in St. Pete for more outdoor inspiration.

If you’re looking to cool off this summer, we recommend visiting any of our community pools that are set to open over Memorial Day Weekend.