Arlington County is home to 148 public parks. Each of these parks are different sizes and have different amenities, but we first want to ask what does basic park access look like to an individual in Arlington. To measure basic park access we computed two different methods. First, we measure access as the percent of residences within Arlington that are covered within half-mile radius circles from the center of all 148 parks. We also computed coverage as the percentage of total residences that are covered within time-based isochrones from the centroid of each park. These time-based isochrones are calculated using Traveltime and are computed at the 5-, 10-, and 15-minute levels via walking, public transportation, and driving. Each table and map below show percentage of access at each level for a giving transportation mode or method and an interactive map of access showing the polygons of access (circles or isochrones), park locations, and residences.

Circle Radius Methods

When we use half-mile radius circles as proxies for access 99.65 percent of residences are covered with park access. This is incredibly high; however, this does not take into account park quality, amenities, or acreage.

Distance Coverage
1/2 Mile Circle 99.65424

Traveltime Isochrone Method

Walking

When we create access polygons as 5-, 10-, and 15-minute polygons of walking, 32 percent, 85, ad 99 percent of residences are covered respectively. Within a short walk this isn't very high coverage, but within 10 minutes this is high coverage.

Time Coverage
5 Minutes 32.81442
10 Minutes 85.48678
15 Minutes 98.99169

Driving

When we create access polygons as 5-, 10-, and 15-minute polygons of driving, 100 percent of residences are covered within all three driving time distances. This is great access for people that also have access to cars.

Time Coverage
5 Minutes 100
10 Minutes 100
15 Minutes 100

Public Transportation

When we create access polygons as 5-, 10-, and 15-minute polygons of public transportation, 33 percent, 86, ad 99 percent of residences are covered respectively. This access is similar to walking and showcases how access to public transportation often requires walking. However, within a 10 minute use of public transportation access is good for the county.

Time Coverage
5 Minutes 32.73266
10 Minutes 85.72523
15 Minutes 99.02235