Arlington Claims No. 1 Spot For Outdoor Enthusiasts In New Ranking

ARLINGTON, VA — With its large number of outdoor recreation areas, Arlington came in first place in a new study that ranked the best smaller cities for outdoor enthusiasts.

Arlington has 20 outdoor recreation areas, the largest number of outdoor recreation areas among the smaller cities compared by CommercialSearch in the study. CommercialSearch is an online marketplace for commercial real estate.

In the new study, "The Best U.S. Cities to Live in for Outdoor Enthusiasts," released Monday, Arlington came in fourth on the list for its ParkScore metric, thanks to a 99 percent of its residents living within a 10-minute walking distance of a park. The county earned the seventh-highest walk score among, ranking closely behind Minneapolis.

The study defines smaller cities as jurisdictions with fewer than 500,000 residents. Neighboring Washington, D.C. ranked as the top large city for outdoor enthusiasts, followed by Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Boston and New York City.

Arlington is a “haven for nature lovers who also appreciate proximity to the bustling Washington, D.C.,” CommercialSearch said.

“While it offers a quieter setting, its connection to D.C. is evident through shared outdoor recreation areas — including Theodore Roosevelt Island on the Potomac River, which is a hotspot for water sports,” the study said.

Arlington’s commitment to green space was reflected in its fourth-place park ranking, according to CommercialSearch.

“Even as the smallest city among the top 10, Arlington provides the benefits of abundant outdoor activities and parks coupled with the peace of a smaller community,” the study said. “Yet, with only 250,000 residents, Arlington is just one-third the size of D.C. for a relaxed and laidback atmosphere.”

Ranked behind Arlington in the study were Irvine, California at No. 2, Minneapolis at No. 3, St. Paul at No. 4 and Pittsburgh at No. 5.

CommercialSearch ranked cities in two separate brackets based on total population: one containing cities with more than 500,000 residents, and a second list containing cities with fewer than 500,000 residents. Points were awarded as follows:

• ParkScore index: Up to 30 points, as provided by the Trust for Public Land, 2023. The index ranks the parks of the 100 most populous U.S. cities based on 14 measures across five categories — acreage, investment, amenities, access and equity.
• Miles of trails per resident: Up to 15 points, as provided by the Trust for Public Land, 2023.
• Air quality: Up to 20 points, based on data provided by the U.S. EPA. Air quality data is provided at the county level, 2022.
• Walkability: Up to 10 points, based on data provided by WalkScore.com, 2023.
• Number of outdoor fitness zones per resident: Up to 5 points, as provided by the Trust for Public Land, 2023.
• Number of parks per resident: Up to 5 points, as provided by the Trust for Public Land, 2023.
• Recreation places within city limits: Up to 5 points. This includes boating, campsites, climbing, fishing grounds, hiking, wildlife viewing, and similar activities within 10 miles of city center. Data and mapping are conducted by Recreation.gov, 2023.
• Number of outdoor sport courts per resident: Up to 5 points, as provided by the Trust for Public Land, 2023.
• Miles of walking loop per resident: Up to 5 points, as provided by the Trust for Public Land, 2023.

Arlington ranked No. 1 with a total score of 61.35, followed by a score of 59.43 for Irvine, 58.95 for Minneapolis, 57.70 for St. Paul and 52.68 for Pittsburgh.

RELATED: D.C., Arlington Home To Top Public Park Systems In The U.S.: Report