Fort Worth climbs 33 spots in national ParkScore rankings

The City of Fort Worth continues to gain national recognition for expanding access to parks and recreation, climbing another 14 spots in the annual ParkScore index, released by the Trust for Public Land.

Fort Worth ranked No. 58 nationally in the 2026 ParkScore rankings, improving from No. 72 in 2025 and No. 91 in 2024, a total jump of 33 spots in just two years. The ParkScore index measures park systems in the 100 most populous U.S. cities using data points such as park access, acreage, investment, amenities and equity.

“Fort Worth’s continued rise in the ParkScore rankings reflects our commitment to building a park system that serves every neighborhood,” said Mayor Mattie Parker. “Through partnerships, long-term planning and targeted investments supported by our Good Natured framework, we are creating more opportunities for residents to connect with nature, recreation and each other.”

The improvement was supported by Mayor Parker’s Good Natured initiative, which aims to increase and enhance the city’s parks and green spaces, as well as partnerships with organizations, including the Trust for Public Land, Fort Worth Independent School District, Tarrant Regional Water District, Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge, Streams and Valleys, Fort Worth Mountain Bikers Association, Downtown Fort Worth Inc. and other public and nonprofit partners that helped document and expand recognized public access to parks, trails and recreation amenities.

A major factor in this year’s increase was the City’s shared-use agreement with Fort Worth Independent School District. This agreement expanded access to recreational facilities throughout the city, while also laying the groundwork for future partnerships with additional school districts. Fort Worth also worked closely with the Trust for Public Land to better identify and document recreation assets, including qualifying HOA-owned parks.

“The improvement is really a combination of strategic investments, stronger partnerships and better data,” said Dave Lewis, director of the Fort Worth Park & Recreation Department. “Over the last few years, we have become much more intentional about how we measure and document public access to recreation and park amenities. These efforts helped ensure the national rankings reflected the full picture of what Fort Worth already offers residents.”

The ParkScore rankings are widely used as a benchmark for evaluating the quality and accessibility of urban park systems nationwide.

Learn more about Fort Worth parks, programs and recreation opportunities.

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