Missouri has 2 of the 50 cities with the most green space per capita

Green space is beneficial anywhere, but especially in concrete jungles like those found in many U.S. cities. The World Health Organization reports that green areas are essential to both the ecosystem and the mental health of citizens; though the color is fading quickly in urban areas that are cutting down trees and rapidly building on open space. There are, however, some cities across America that are fighting hard to keep green space within their borders.

Using data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, analyzed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Stacker considered the 70 U.S. cities with the most green space per capita and then ranked the top 50 by the green space areas devoted to parks and urban regions.

Read on to see which cities in your state made the list, or see the national story here.

#7. St. Louis

- Green space per capita: 51,281 sq. ft.
- Population: 2.6 million

Forest Park in western St. Louis is home to the St. Louis Zoo, Art Museum, Science Center, an amphitheater, and soon a 17-acre playground. The Gateway Arch, the symbol of St. Louis, is part of a 90-acre park that includes the Old Courthouse, museums, and green space. The Metropolitan Sewer District is knocking down buildings in an effort to create space for stormwater absorption and has partnered with the state to create green spaces in the resulting vacant lots.

#2. Kansas City

- Green space per capita: 93,349 sq. ft.
- Population: 2.1 million

The Paris of the Plains is continually looking to expand its green space, with resurrected plans to build green space on top of I-670. In 2019, Kansas City opened the 80-acre Meadowbrook Park on the site of a former golf course, complete with playgrounds and walking trails.

Some cities have gotten creative in constructing green space within their boundaries. Houston, Nashville, and Des Moines, Iowa, are among the many cities putting large green spaces on public rooftops. Atlanta even has plans to cover some of its highways with parks.

The former commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Adrian Benepe promotes the 10-Minute Walk campaign, an initiative to have a park within a 10-minute walk in all U.S. cities by 2050. Now the senior vice president for the Trust for Public Land, Benepe points to how green space helps the ecosystem. "When I see a tree, I see the work of God because a tree is a remarkable machine," Benepe said. "It does extraordinary things in exchange for very little."

What's more, the health benefits of parks and green spaces in cities are numerous, according to The National Recreation and Park Association. Large parks promote active living, which can reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease, while research shows even small parks can reduce stress and improve creativity and mental health.

To learn more about which cities made the top of the list, keep reading below.

Cities with the most green space per capita

#1. Minneapolis, MN: 105,843 sq. ft. per capita
#2. Kansas City, MO: 93,349 sq. ft. per capita
#3. Cincinnati, OH: 67,723 sq. ft. per capita
#4. Washington, DC: 63,138 sq. ft. per capita
#5. Nashville, TN: 57,699 sq. ft. per capita