Battle of the Natural Parks (DC, Boston, SF, Seattle, Baltimore)

[Iconographer]

I have to give this to DC by virtue of Rock Creek Park and the generous amount of greenspace that the city enjoys.

According to this survey, it's outranked by Boston and San Francisco, however. But the emphasis in this thread is natural parks.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local...497_story.html

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by mhays25

While I dissed my own city, I will put a plug in for waterfront parks. A single acre can go a long way when there's a huge open space in front of you.

Ravines can also go a long way...those small moments where you can forget you're in a city.

The parks along Lake Washington are gorgeous ie Madrona, Boulevard, Colman, Seward and Blaine.

[mwj119]

Baltimore seems like a bit of an outlier here.

The rest are great. Being that we're focusing on natural park within city limits, I'd assume DC?

[TasteofSourCherry]

San Francisco, and it's not even close (for me at least).

Between Golden Gate and Muir woods, I feel San Francisco's parks are prettier and more varied than what you get in the DMV. If you include weekend trips by car, then it's definitely no contest.

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by TasteofSourCherry

San Francisco, and it's not even close (for me at least).

Between Golden Gate and Muir woods, I feel San Francisco's parks are prettier and more varied than what you get in the DMV. If you include weekend trips by car, then it's definitely no contest.

Well, Muir Woods isn't in San Francisco. I think what we are talking about is city vs. city parks. If it's trips by car, then yes the Bay Area would win, with only Boston being remotely competitive.

[LINative]

Originally Posted by btownboss4

Do the Boston Harbor Islands count? They are not municipal parks but a park within city limits and are amazing.

Also if you could the Blue Hills and Middlesex Fells Reservations just beyond City Limits (would be in Boston if the city was as Big as D.C. Or Seattle Boston wins hands down.

Originally Posted by MDAllstar

Could you post some google street view links of all the areas you’re talking about?

Here is a map of the Metropolitan Park System of Greater Boston, which I believe is run by the state. It includes Middlesex Fells (2,500 acres) and Blue Hills (7,000 acres) which Btown mentioned. They are however, not in Boston proper.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrop...Greater_Boston

The Boston Harbor Islands are in Boston City Limits and should count. However Btown, if you going to count natural parks outside Boston limits for Boston - well there are nearby parks outside Washington DC, San Francisco and probably the others as well. So I would not say hands down at all.