Lincoln Improves to 25th Place in National Park Ranking

Lincoln Improves to 25th Place in National Park Ranking

Published on May 20, 2026

The Parks and Recreation Department today announced it has improved its ranking as one of the nation's best park systems according to the Trust for Public Land 2026 ParkScore index. Lincoln improved to 25th place in 2026 from 29th place last year.

The ParkScore index compiled annually by the Trust for Public Land measures how well the top 100 most populated U.S. cities are meeting residents' needs for quality parks and recreational spaces. To determine a city's ParkScore rating, cities are assigned points for 15 measures across five categories: acreage, investment, amenities, access, and equity.

"Lincoln's rise into the top 25 is a reflection of our community's longstanding commitment to building parks that truly serve everyone," said Maggie Stuckey-Ross, Parks and Recreation Director. "We are proud of this progress and grateful to the staff and partners whose dedication keeps our park system strong."

This year's results highlight several strengths of Lincoln's park system:

• Nearly 90% of Lincoln residents live within a 10-minute walk of a publicly accessible park.

• Lincoln received standout national scores for basketball courts, playgrounds, and overall access to park space across neighborhoods.

The City encourages residents to explore Lincoln's extensive park system and take advantage of the wide variety of recreational opportunities, trails, natural areas, playgrounds, athletic facilities, and community spaces available throughout the community. Parks and Recreation offers year-round programs, events, classes, camps, leagues, aquatics, golf, arts, nature, and wellness opportunities designed to serve residents of all ages and abilities.

For more information about the Trust for Public Land, visit tpl.org.

For more information on the ParkScore Index, contact David Ross, Parks and Recreation GIS Analyst, at 402-441-8266. For more information about Parks and Recreation, visit lincoln.ne.gov/Parks.