Dear John: Our
latest report sheds new light on America's park equity problem. This
month, we're diving deeper into our findings, the recently released
2021 ParkScore rankings, and exploring how communities are closing the
park equity gap.

Three ways U.S. cities are improving park equity

Three teenaged friends walk along a riverfront trail while one tosses
a soccer ball into the air.

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Photo Credit: Chris Bennett

Across the 100 largest U.S. cities, people of color have access to
significantly less park space than white people. The good news is,
communities and local leaders are already coming up with many
effective ways to solve this problem.

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The 2021 ParkScore rankings are in

A mother pushes a young boy on a tricycle along a trail as a father
walks slightly ahead.

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Photo Credit: Chris Bennett

Each year, our research and innovation team gathers data from across
the U.S. to provide the gold standard ranking of park systems in
America's cities. This year, we integrated a new metric into our
rankings: park equity. Is your city meeting the need for parks? Search
to find out.

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In the spotlight

Aerial view of a colorful schoolyard.

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Parks and an equitable recovery: a special report

This past year has proved that parks are not just a nicety-they
are a necessity. As Americans endured the health and economic
challenges brought on by a global pandemic, the outdoors became a
lifeline. Now, we've measured who does and does not have access to the
outdoors in America-and uncovered some major disparities.

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Updates from across the country

A small child runs through splash fountains at a park as water sprays
all around.

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Photo Credit: Meghan Mick

Delayed by Hurricane Sally, a Florida park officially opens

In September 2020, Hurricane Sally damaged the swimming beach at the
newly completed Captain Leonard Destin Park in Destin. With repairs
completed, the park officially opened on May 13, 2021. Using funds
from the Deepwater Horizon Settlement, we helped build a park that
tells the history of the city's founding father, and includes a very
popular splash pad, fishing pier, and kayak launch.

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Brush and rocky hills surround a grouping of rusted oil tanks and
equipment in an open field.

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Photo Credit: Amber Garrett

Help us transform this California oil field into a coastal gem

Banning Ranch is the biggest private open space on the coast of
Southern California. For decades, its served as a working oil field.
Someday, it could become an oceanfront park for all to enjoy-but
we need your help to make it happen.

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Tell us why outside matters to you

A graphic reads 'Tell us why OUTSIDE MATTERS to you!'

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Why does being outside matter to you? Share your thoughts on the power
of being outdoors for a chance to win a Trust for Public Land water
bottle! We'll also feature a quote from the submissions in
upcoming newsletters.

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More stories for you

An older woman with glasses in a red jacket holds a pair of binoculars
as she looks up toward the sky.

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Photo Credit: Jerry Monkman

4 places to watch the great spring bird migration

Every spring, billions of birds make the long journey north from South
and Central America to breeding grounds in North America. You only
need a pair of binoculars, a field guide, and a bit of patience to
take in this colorful avian parade. We've put together a helpful list
of some prime birdwatching spots across the U.S.

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