Getting + Staying Connected in College Park
A recent article by Nicholas Kristof in The New York Times discussed approaches to “build connections and bind us together” by building (or rebuilding) networks. This is particularly true in current days, as COVID continues to have lasting impacts on social networks.
In College Park, there are a variety of ways to remain connected to the community, however one chooses to define it. Community can be understood to represent different things to different people, or different things at different times to the same person. A case in point—someone may be an active and interested resident of a neighborhood, be a volunteer for different organizations, have pets and have children in school.
How does one navigate the plethora of opportunities available to you as a current—or future—resident? Rather than re-invent the wheel, we intend to demonstrate sites available to you at the click of a mouse.
Civic and Community Associations. College Park is a city of neighborhoods—17 of them. You may want to join an association for your neighborhood to meet other people and hear about activities in your neighborhood and in the city as a whole. Here is a link that provides information on the associations and how to contact them.
Parent Teacher Associations (or Organizations). There are 5 elementary, 4 middle and 5 high schools serving College Park students in addition to the 6 private schools in or near the City. If you have children in school—public, charter or private—consider joining the PTA if you have not done so already. You can see the schools available for your neighborhood by going to the Prince Georges Public school’s website and schoolfinder. Once you find your school, click on its website and search for sections that say “Parents” or “PTA.”
Book Club. If you like to read and you have not found a group of people to discuss your latest best-seller (or historical review), join a book club. Many local libraries have notices about book clubs that meet. IN fact, an independent library in the City, the College Park Community Library, has a book club listed on its announcements. Speaking of libraries, they can be terrific spots for story time or internet access and for meeting people and there often are volunteer opportunities.
Dog Parks. Have a dog and are you looking for something more than walks around the block? Consider a dog park. The City has a dog park in Hollywood, and there is a dog park in Acredale Park run by Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and supported by the members of the College Park Dog Park Association.
Walking, Hiking, Biking. The City has many trails and outdoor areas to explore any of these pursuits. If you are a walker or biker, consider the Trolley Trail and make sure to put Trolley Trail Day in your calendar. There are several others that could be of interest. Check out the City’s links to Trails.
This was not intended to be an exhaustive list of how to form your community. Rather, it is a brief survey of merely some of the resources available to you. They may be the right fit for you and they may also lead you to other possibilities. GO FOR IT!