Support Us Button Widget

How Nashville’s park system compares nationwide

Music City’s park system ranked No. 78 in the US in ParkScore’s annual report and stands eight spots behind Memphis, TN.

A navy and light blue playground set on an astroturf, fenced in area.

Nashville earned 29 out of 100 points for its playgrounds, which is factored into the amenities category score. | Photo by NASHtoday

It’s no secret that Nashvillians love spending time outdoors — but how does our park system compare to others across the US?

The 2024 ParkScore Index by nonprofit Trust for Public Land gives us some insight, ranking Nashville No. 78 nationwide, eight spots behind Memphis. This is a 15-spot improvement from last year, though Metro Parks doesn’t agree that the score is reflective of the park system’s overall impact.

The scores are based on five traits: acreage, access, investment, amenities, and equity. Take a look at a few local statistics:

  • Nashville is home to 248 parks, making up 8% of the city’s land.
  • 46% of Nashville residents live within a half-mile or 10-minute walk to a park.
  • Nashville’s median park size is 16.7 acres, landing it “among the highest” of the cities ranked.

Want more information? View the full report.

More from NASHtoday
The team behind Perfectly Fine (1105 51st Ave. N.) plans to keep the doors open “365 days a year” from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
With drummer Ringo Starr returning to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, we thought we’d highlight a few notable Beatles ties to the area.
MLK Day is commemorated on the third Monday in January. Here’s how you can honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy in Music City.
In honor of the 35th annual Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville, select local businesses are offering floral-inspired cocktails and mocktails beginning in January.
Here we snow again. Below is what to know about navigating closures, snow plow routes, and weather updates.
Nashville drivers lost an average of 63 hours to traffic in 2024, according to a study from INRIX.
Beer not, sober-friendly fun in Music City is possible with these 35 mocktails and alcohol-free sips.
Here we grow again. Nashville’s skyline is adding new hotels, office buildings, and mixed-use spaces in 2025.
According to the Nashville Public Library, you couldn’t get enough of these titles last year. If you weren’t able to get your hands on them, see how they might fit into The Bookshop’s 2025 reading challenge.
The “first-of-its-kind” Super Bowl fan event is taking over NFL stadiums across the country, including Nissan Stadium in Nashville.