Board adopts parks, open space and trails design standards into municipal code

The Town of Frederick adopted new parks, open space and trails (POST) design standards by approving ordinance 14‑20 at the July 15 meeting. Sarah Barnard of the Parks & Open Space department presented the new standards, which define quantitative and qualitative expectations for developer‑constructed parks, required amenities, parking, trail types and maintenance thresholds. Staff recommended codifying the standards by reference and granting the Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Commission authority to update standards with staff recommendation.

Barnard said the standards are intended to ensure higher‑quality, maintainable parks that align with the Go Outdoors Frederick master plan and the town’s updated land‑use code. The ordinance passed by voice vote 4–0; Mayor Pro Tem Padilla had left the meeting and was not present for the vote. Staff and the town attorney confirmed the standards would not be retroactively applied to applications already in process; new regulations will apply only to applications submitted after the ordinance is effective. "They would apply to all developer constructed parks, open spaces, and trails," Barnard told the board, adding they will also apply to town-owned parks when a major replacement triggers review.