Albuquerque Celebrates National Park and Recreation Month With Top-Ranked Park System

ALBUQUERQUE – As further reason to celebrate National Park and Recreation Month in July, the City of Albuquerque has earned the no. 23 spot in the 2026 ParkScore Index from the Trust for Public Land for its exceptional park system.

 The annual ParkScore Index compares systems across the 100 largest U.S. cities using five categories: access, investment, amenities, acreage and equity. Albuquerque earned an overall score of 66 out of 100, moving up one spot from No. 24 in 2025 and remaining among the top 25 park systems in America.

 "Albuquerque understands the power of parks to bring people together and strengthen neighborhoods," said Mayor Tim Keller. "This recognition reflects our commitment to livability for everyone here."

 Albuquerque continued to score especially well in park access, with nearly 91% of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park. The city also earned high marks for amenities, including dog parks, recreation centers, playgrounds, sports fields and basketball courts.

“This achievement is the result of ongoing investment and the hard work of our professionals,” said Parks & Recreation Director Dave Simon. “We’re improving every year so folks have great places to play, gather and enjoy the outdoors.”

National Park and Recreation Month, an initiative of the National Recreation and Park Association, celebrates the essential role being active outside plays in building strong communities. This year's theme, "The Power Of …", recognizes how parks foster connection, fitness, nature, belonging and well-being.

 Well-maintained parks, trails, open space and recreation amenities will continue to be a citywide priority. Two areas with identified 10-minute walk gaps — Crestview Bluffs and the near North Valley — are expected to receive new neighborhood parks, with projects slated to begin in 2026.