The city of San Antonio saw its 2023 ParkScore ranking, a measurement of U.S. park systems, has improved from 59 to 57 between 2022 and 2023.

What happened?

According to a May 30 press release, the Trust for Public Land annually publishes the ParkScore index with measurements of public park systems across 100 of the largest cities in the United States.

While San Antonio’s ranking rose two points in the past year, by comparison, among Texas’ top three largest cities, Dallas ranked 43 and Houston ranked 71.

Data shows San Antonio’s access to parks has steadily increased over the last four years from 42% in 2019 to 51% of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park in 2023. This percentage decreased slightly from 52% in 2022 to 51% in 2023.



City officials said for the new ParkScore ranking, which also measures publicly accessible land and amenities, San Antonio scored high in the acreage category, which factors median park size and percentage of area dedicated to parks.

Additionally, data shows San Antonians in low-income neighborhoods have access to 24% more park space per person than those in high-income neighborhoods, but that in majority communities of color, residents have access to 10% less park space per person than those in mostly white neighborhoods.

The overview

Parks and Recreation Director Homer Garcia III said he and his staff are encouraged by the improvements in San Antonio’s ParkScore ranking during a time when the city has experienced significant growth.


The city in May opened the first phase of Classen-Steubing Ranch Park in the Stone Oak area, the third city public park to open north of Loop 1604. While Phase 1 of the park is funded with money from the city’s 2017 bond, more improvements will be coming to Classen-Steubing Ranch Park with proceeds from the city’s $1.2 billion bond that voters approved in 2022.

“Thanks to our voters who overwhelmingly supported the largest bond program to date, we have the necessary funding to complete more park projects across the city,” Garcia said in a statement. “This not only ensures we’re keeping pace with our city’s growth, but that we provide a park system that is equitable and accessible for all members of our community.”