Milwaukee Ranked Among Nation’s Top Park Systems in 2026 ParkScore® Index
Recognition shared by Milwaukee Recreation, Milwaukee County Parks, and the City of Milwaukee
Milwaukee Recreation, the City of Milwaukee, and Milwaukee County Parks are proud to announce that Milwaukee has earned a national ParkScore® ranking of 14 in the Trust for Public Land’s 2026 ParkScore® Index. The ranking represents a notable improvement from Milwaukee’s 2025 position at number 18 and a decade ago when Milwaukee ranked 27th nationally. The three agencies credit the jump to their combined, ongoing efforts to improve the quality of Milwaukee’s parks and playfields.
The annual ParkScore® Index is a national comparison of park systems across the 100 most populated cities in the United States. Published annually, the index measures park systems according to five categories reflective of an excellent city park system: access, investment, amenities, acreage, and equity. Milwaukee’s rise in the rankings reflects a continued commitment to providing high-quality parks, recreational spaces, and community programming for residents across the city.
According to the report, 96% of Milwaukee residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, placing the city among the nation’s leaders in park access. Milwaukee also received strong scores for amenities, including basketball courts, recreation centers, splash pads, and athletic fields.
“What makes this ranking especially meaningful is that it recognizes access and equity,” said Annie Kubes, Milwaukee Recreation’s senior director. “At Milwaukee Recreation, we believe every resident, regardless of zip code, deserves a great neighborhood playfield. We’re honored to be part of the collective effort that’s making that vision a reality.”
“Parks play an important role in the quality of life of our residents, and this recognition shows the value of continued investment in Milwaukee’s park systems,” said City of Milwaukee Parks Manager Joseph Kaltenberg “We’re proud to be part of the ongoing work to create welcoming, accessible, and well-maintained parks across the city.”
“Milwaukee County Parks has long believed that great parks are the backbone of a thriving community, and this ranking affirms what our residents already know: Milwaukee delivers world-class green spaces,” said Guy Smith, Executive Director of Milwaukee County Parks. “Jumping from 18th to 14th in a single year is a testament to the dedication of our staff, the strength of our partnerships, and the communities who show up for their parks every single day. We’re proud of this recognition and even more motivated to keep our parks a welcoming place for every Milwaukee resident.”
This achievement is the result of strong collaboration among local agencies, community partners, and residents who continue to invest in the future of Milwaukee’s parks and recreational spaces. Milwaukee Recreation, the City of Milwaukee, and Milwaukee County Parks celebrate this recognition and remain committed to sustaining vibrant parks and outdoor spaces that strengthen connections across Milwaukee.
The Trust for Public Land publishes the ParkScore® Index annually to help communities measure and improve park systems nationwide.
For details about Milwaukee’s ParkScore® ranking, visit www.tpl.org/city/milwaukee-wisconsin.
Milwaukee Recreation is a department of Milwaukee Public Schools, established in 1911 to enrich and strengthen the community by promoting healthy lifestyles, personal development, and fun through memorable recreational and educational experiences for people of all ages and abilities. Milwaukee Recreation is recognized as an accredited agency through NRPA and CAPRA. For more information, visit mkerec.net or contact Claire McHugh (claire@mkerec.net) at (414) 475-8634 or Brian Hoffer (Brian@mkerec.net) at (414) 475-8938.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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