For the ninth consecutive year, the City of Irvine park system has been ranked among the top 10 in the nation by the Trust for Public Land. This year, the City’s score increased .1 points while holding its coveted position.
Irvine ranked fourth in the country and first in California in the national nonprofit’s annual ParkScore Index, which is recognized as the national gold-standard comparison of park systems across the 100 most populated cities in the United States. The index is based on factors including park access, acreage, investment, and amenities.
“We’re so excited to be ranked No. 1 in California for our parks for the second consecutive year,” said Mayor Farrah N. Khan. “This is achieved through our investment in our park system — far exceeding the national average — and the City’s commitment to equity and access for all. Together, we continue to make Irvine a wonderful place to live, work, and play.”
The ParkScore Index looked at park access and equity and found that 93% of Irvine residents live within a half-mile walk of a park. Among those, 93% of people of color live within a 10-minute walk of a park. Irvine also earned a perfect score for investment. A total of $643 per capita is spent each year on publicly accessible parks and recreation, which is among the highest nationwide.
In addition, Irvine received high marks and scored above average for specific amenities. The City received a perfect score for the number of basketball hoops — there are 480 available through City-owned facilities and joint-use agreements with Irvine and Tustin unified school districts for shared gymnasium spaces. Irvine also received a perfect score for the number of public restrooms available within City parks, with a total of 166 restrooms citywide.
In 2023, the City finalized plans to establish Gateway Preserve, which will bring hundreds of acres of open space to North Irvine, two thematic parks, and additional trails for hiking and biking. Learn more about the Gateway Preserve at cityofirvine.org/gatewaypreserve.
The ParkScore ranking includes parks, facilities, and amenities accessible to the public, either through ownership or partnership agreements. The full ParkScore Index is available at tpl.org/parkscore, including score details and demographic information for each city. To learn more about Irvine parks, visit cityofirvine.org/parks.