In a world of increasing urban living, outdoor living is probably at an all-time premium for many of us. Now one study has ranked US cities to find which ones are the best for outdoor space.
The team at Pots Planters & More examined 100 cities across the country to find which were the most favorable for lovers of the outdoors. Public parks were a huge factor in the rankings; they looked at the number of acres available per 1000 residents, how many people were in walking distance of the parks, and how much public money was spent on their upkeep.
Moreover, other factors that also contributed to the rankings included the quality of air, average annual temperature, and housing costs. Consequently, the top 25 list demonstrates a good geographical spread, showcasing a mix of larger and smaller cities, including places often known for harsh seasonal weather—like El Paso or Madison—rather than being top choices for outdoor activities.
New Orleans took the top spot, an achievement the study authors partially attribute to the sustainable building efforts after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. This combination of high-quality parks, excellent air quality, and a pleasantly mild climate year-round makes it a solid first-place winner.
Top Ten Best US Cities for Outdoor Space
- New Orleans
- North Las Vegas
- Albuquerque
- Jacksonville
- Honolulu
- El Paso
- Corpus Christi
- Toledo
- Oklahoma City
- Buffalo
For more details, you can explore the full list of 25 cities along with their individual rankings for contributing factors here.
