Wichita was ranked 64 on The Trust for Public Land’s 4th Annual ParkScore index, which evaluates park systems in the 75 largest U.S. cities. KMUW’s Abigail Wilson has more…
ParkScore ratings are based on the percentage of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park and the city's median park size. They also take into account park spending per resident with the availability of park amenities like basketball hoops and playgrounds.
Troy Houtman, Director of Wichita Parks and Recreation, says that while the ParkScore results can be skewed by comparing affluent cities to those with lower annual salaries, it provides a good snapshot of where Wichita is in relation to park space and what residents need.
"It's a reflection of what the community really wants," Houtman says. "Hopefully the parks and recreation department can really take it to the next level for quality of life for the folks here in Wichita."
Wichita currently has a median park size of just over 10 acres with city land taking up 4.7 percent of the city’s total area.
