City of Henderson parks were ranked in the top 22 percent of the 100 most populated U.S. cities according to the ParkScore index recently released by the Trust for Public Land.
The ranking is based on a survey of 495 park and recreation organizations, and measures how well they are meeting the community’s need for parks.
“Henderson prides itself on its commitment to provide residents and visitors with awarding winning parks and trails,” said City Manager Richard Derrick. “We are thrilled to receive this honor which recognizes our continuing efforts to enhance quality of life in our city through our 66 meticulously maintained parks and proud that 70 percent of our children and 69 percent of adults live within a 10-minute walk of a park.”
Published annually, the ParkScore index is considered the national gold-standard for the comparison of park systems in the nation and assesses park systems according to five categories that include access, investment, amenities, acreage, and, new for 2021, equity.
The presence of parks is widely recognized as an essential factor for health and wellness, improving physical fitness and decreasing anxiety, stress and depression. Parks also serve to promote strong social connections for residents through their participation in community gardens, dog parks, athletic fields and playgrounds that bring children and adults together.