Was Live Friday, May 23, 2025 | 11am PST
Related Coverage
- Story | The Future of Parks Revealed in 100 Top U.S. Cities
- Playlist | Video Highlights from this Briefing
Guest Speakers
- Will Klein, Director of Parks Research, Trust for Public Land
- Guillermo Rodriguez, California State Director and VP-Pacific Region, Trust for Public Land
- Justin Cutler, Commissioner of Parks & Recreation, City of Atlanta
- Yvette Lopez-Ledesma, Greening America’s Cities Fellow, Community Partners
Event Overview
Urban parks are more than just places for relaxation or recreation, though those benefits are important. A groundbreaking new poll reveals that parks also serve as essential spaces for connection, where people from diverse backgrounds interact in ways that are increasingly rare in today’s polarized society.
More than half of Americans say they’ve spoken with someone they didn’t know, and who came from a different social or economic background, while visiting a park. The data also show that cities with strong park systems tend to have higher rates of volunteering, more civic organizations per capita, and greater success in developing community leaders.
This briefing will explore which cities have made the most progress in improving their parks and which still have work to do. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in green spaces has surged, and many cities have increased investments. Yet, despite this momentum, funding remains uncertain, and budget cuts loom.
Panelists will discuss the latest ParkScore report, highlight key findings from the poll, outline strategies that are working, and spotlight the cities leading the way in building more inclusive, impactful park systems.
Presented by ACoM
Cover Image Credit: Canva Photos
