Plano鈥檚 park system is No. 1 in Texas in a new ranking of the largest cities in the country.
The nonprofit , an annual report comparing park systems in the 100 most populous cities, ranks Plano 16th nationally based on 5 characteristics: acreage, access, investment, amenities and equity.
Plano Mayor John Muns says the city鈥檚 parks stand out because of their accessibility and long history.
鈥淲e have parks that are refined and have a lot of athletic opportunities. Then we can open space that鈥檚 remained natural. We have water parks and splash pads and things like that.
"We have a variety of amenities in our parks system, but the greatest part of it is there鈥檚 a park close to everyone in Plano."
About 80% of Plano residents live 10 minutes away from one of the city鈥檚 142 parks, which total more than 4,500 acres. Plano鈥檚 median park size is more than double the national average at 14 acres.鈥�
Plano Parks and Recreation spokesperson Kelley Crimmins says the city鈥檚 parks manage to serve a growing diverse population.
鈥淲e are touching the lives of so many people across the gamut,鈥� she said, 鈥渂reaking down those barriers or participation when it comes to cost or location.鈥�
The city scored 74 out of a possible 100 points for park acreage. Additionally, it scored an 89 for the 鈥渞elative financial health鈥� of the park system.
Plano spends $196 per resident on its park system each year, the report notes, the most in the DFW area. Dallas 鈥� which ranks No. 43 on the ParkScore index 鈥� spends $124 per resident.
Crimmins says the top ranking is one of the highest honors a park agency like theirs can receive, but she gives much of the praise to the city鈥檚 residents.
鈥淭he first thing we want to do is thank the residents who have approved the projects through bond referendums鈥nd supporting our operations, providing us feedback,鈥� she said. 鈥淗aving that close connection with our residents helps us better serve them.鈥�