Well. I like the color green most of the time. So. Let’s Hear It for the Green. Here, where I live, we have a lot of green space around us. But. If you’ve ever sighed dramatically at the sight of endless pavement or concrete high-rises, this might give you some green in your smile.
Some U.S. cities have actually figured out how to blend urban life with a good dose of nature. You know. Green space. And that is a good thing.
We all know that getting outside is good for us. At least, that is what science tells us. Sunshine can lift our moods. Those big, beautiful trees and plants can make our brains feel calmer and more relaxed. Besides. It’s just nice to get away from the blue light of screens and into the fresh blue skies and breeze. But not every city makes that easy.
The Pin Factory (a survey company) took a look at over 130 large U.S. cities to figure out who’s doing green space best. They factored in how many parks there are, how much land they take up, and how that breaks down per person. Basically: who’s got room to roam?
Anchorage, Alaska, leads the pack, with a massive 30,222 acres of parkland per 10,000 people. That’s a whole lot of space to bike, fish, golf—or catch the northern lights. But that’s Alaska anyway.
Chesapeake, Virginia, comes in second with 158 parks across the city, offering everything from dog parks to hiking trails to spots for the kids to run wild.
Scottsdale, Arizona, rounds out the top three, with parks like Chaparral, offering courts, trails, and even a 10-station fitness course for the ambitious.
Here’s the full list of cities that are crushing it with green space:
Anchorage, Alaska
Chesapeake, Virginia
Scottsdale, Arizona
Fremont, California
Jacksonville, Florida
Honolulu, Hawaii
New Orleans, Louisiana
North Las Vegas, Nevada
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Santa Clarita, California
If you’re lucky enough to live in (or visit) one of these cities, don’t forget to take advantage of this goodness. And always remember. Nature’s got your back. Go on. Touch some grass. Meet a tree faerie.
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“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
—Albert Einstein
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“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
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“Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.”
—Pedro Calderón de la Barca
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“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
—Lao Tzu
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