Public Space Management Plan

On November 29, 2023, the City Council unanimously adopted the Takoma Park Public Space Management Plan. The Plan provides integrated guidance on how public space is used and maintained in Takoma Park, with a special focus on data-driven and equity-infused decision-making. Public space, as defined in the Plan, includes City-owned properties that are accessible to everyone all residents and visitors to the City.

The Plan reflects five years of work, over 30 community engagement touchpoints to gather feedback from hundreds of residents, and hours of work from both City staff and outside consultants.

Public Space Management Plan (Adopted 11/29/2023)

• Adopted Public Space Management Plan (PDF)
• Project Evaluation Scorecard (PDF)

Community Outreach and Engagement

• November 29, 2023 – City Council Voting Session (ADOPTED)
• October 18, 2023 – City Council Draft Presentation to City Council
  • • 10/18/23 Meeting Presentation Slides (PDF)
    • 10/18/23 Video of Council Presentation (YouTube)
• September 27, 2023 – In-Person Project Evaluation Scorecard Exploration Session
• July 19, 2023 – Public Review Draft Presentation to City Council
  • • 7/19/23 Meeting Presentation Slides (PDF)
    • 7/19/23 Video of Council Presentation (YouTube)
• September 14, 2022 – First Draft Presentation to City Council
  • • 9/14/22 Meeting Presentation Slides (PDF)
    • 9/14/22 Video of Council Presentation (YouTube)
• August 23, 2022 – Public Space Community Meeting (Rough First Draft revealed)
  • • 8/23/22 Workshop Presentation Recording (YouTube)
    • 8/23/22 Workshop Presentation Slides(PDF)
• June 27th, 2022 – Public Space Community Meeting
  • • 6/27/22 Meeting Presentation Slides (PDF)
• May – June, 2022 – Supplemental Focus Groups (Youth, Multi-Family Building Residents, Cross-Departmental City Staff)
• October, 2021 –  Public Space Values Workshop Series
• Fall/Winter 2020 – Public Space Management Plan Survey
  • • Public Space Management Plan Survey Results – Summary (PDF)
• July 29, 2020 – City Council Presentation re: Park Quality, Proximity, and Race Analysis
  • • 7/29/20 Agenda (PDF)
    • 7/29/20 Video of Council Presentation (YouTube)
    • 7/29/20 Presentation Slides (PDF)
• Summer 2020 – Assessment of Park Quality, Proximity, and Race
  • • Park Inventory and Quality Assessment (interactive map)
    • Proximity Analysis (interactive map)

Project Lead & Contact Info

Rosalind Grigsby
Community Development Manager
Housing and Community Development
Phone: 301-891-7119
Email: planning@takomaparkmd.gov 

Quicklinks

• Planning and Community Development
• Bikeways Program
• Bus Stop Improvements
• Maple Avenue Connectivity Project
• Metropolitan Branch Trail Upgrade
• Minor Master Plan Amendment
• New Ave Bikeway
• Public Space Management Plan
• Safe Routes to School
• We Belong Here: The Takoma Park Equity Walk

Project Timeline

• November 29, 2023
  City Council Voting Session – ADOPTED
• October 18, 2023
  City Council Work Session
• August-October 2023
  Plan re-introduction tour
• July 19, 2023
  City Council work  sessions
  
• Spring 2023
  Final drafting of the plan
• September 14, 2022
  Council presentation and community feedback on semifinal draft
• August to September 2022
  Development of semifinal draft recommendations and community feedback process
• August 23, 2022
  Community Meeting to Review Preliminary Draft of the Plan
• June 27, 2022
  Introductory Community Meeting
• May to June 2022
  CHPlanning begins planning process; examines existing work and conducts new background research
• January 2022
  Release Request for Proposals (link) for a consulting firm to complete PSMP
• October 2021
  Public Space Values Workshop series
  
• March 2021
  Streetscape Manual Update with Webmap (PDF)
  
• March 2021
  Public Space Management Plan Survey Results (PDF)
• Fall 2020
  Community On-line Survey
  
• July 2020
  Park Quality and Proximity Study
  
• January  22, 2020
  Council Work Session Reviews Scope of Work, Draft Goals, and Timeline for Public Space Management Plan (PDF)
• Fall 2019
  Municipal Parks Inventory (Web Map)
  
• November 2018
  Council Reviews Scope of Work for Public Space Management Plan (PDF)
• November 14, 2018
  Council Work Session on the Review of Scope of Work for Public Lands Management Plan (PDF)
• July 20, 2016
  Resolution Adopting the Takoma Park Streetscape Manual (PDF)
• March 3, 2015
  Council Discussion of Public Land and Open Space Management Planning (PDF)

Research Documents and Links