Irvine Ranked Second in Nation for Outstanding Park System

The City of Irvine has been recognized as having the second-best park system in the United States — and the best in California — in the Trust for Public Land’s 2025 ParkScore Index. This is the tenth consecutive year Irvine has placed in the top ten. The ParkScore Index evaluates the nation’s 100 largest cities based on park access, acreage, investment, equity, and amenities. Mayor Larry Agran praised the ranking as a testament to the city’s long-standing commitment to thoughtful planning, environmental stewardship, and community well-being.

Key highlights from Irvine’s ParkScore evaluation include exceptional park access and equity: 94% of all residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. The city also received a perfect score for investment, with $681 spent per capita annually on public parks and recreation. Additionally, Irvine scored highly on amenities, offering 459 basketball hoops, 220 playgrounds (28.53 per 10,000 children), 25 senior and recreation centers, and 184 public restrooms citywide.

The City continues to expand its parks infrastructure with major developments such as the Great Park, the largest municipal park under construction in the country. Recent and upcoming improvements include the opening of a universal playground at Sweet Shade Neighborhood Park, new bocce ball and pickleball courts, and Irvine’s first municipal fieldhouse. These projects reflect Irvine’s ongoing commitment to providing inclusive, accessible, and high-quality park experiences for all residents.