Outdoorsy Stuff
New study shows Dallas-Fort Worth is the pits when it comes to recreation
The Dallas-Fort Worth area can claim a lot of great things, but when it comes to recreational activities, we're downright pitiful, at least according to a new WalletHub study on the Best and Worst Cities for Recreation.
The study ranked 100 cities across the United States, and no Dallas-Fort Worth area city ranked in the top 60, with Plano coming in "first" at No. 69. It was followed by Dallas at No. 72, Fort Worth at No. 84, Arlington at No. 88, Garland at No. 92 and Irving almost bringing up the rear at No. 98.
The study focused on much more than just public areas like parks, though. It also counted, among other things, the number of music venues, public golf courses, bike rental facilities, attractions and food festivals per 100,000 residents. Focus was also put on details like the cost of going to the movies or out to eat at a restaurant.
Judging by these metrics, the best any of our cities did in any category was Plano at No. 22 for quality of parks. For other categories like entertainment and recreational facilities, costs and climate, most area cities ranked in the lower half of the 100 cities.
WalletHub's findings are a bit curious considering they recently determined many DFW cities to be ideal for families, including Plano, Arlington, Fort Worth, Irving and Garland. And considering some of those same cities are among the best in which to start a career, it's fair to wonder if they'll be bumped up in the recreation ranks in the near future.
