Lakeland Community: A Historic Hub of Connection and Unity in College Park
In the heart of College Park, at the crossroads of Baltimore Avenue and Lakeland Road, lies the historic Lakeland community. It’s more than just a geographical point of interest; it’s a place where the ties that bind residents run deep, bridging generations, and connecting them through a shared history and community engagement.
Lakeland transcends residential area; it is a connector neighborhood. Thanks to the bonds woven by devoted residents and community leaders, people from all walks of life are able to come together and remain connected.
The Lakeland Civic Association is a testament to the neighborhood’s unwavering commitment to its residents. Comprised of city officials and individuals deeply invested in their community’s well-being, this organization actively shapes the neighborhood’s future. Their dedication fosters a sense of collective ownership and connection throughout Lakeland.
Throughout the year, the Lakeland Community Center and local churches serve as vibrant hubs for numerous well-attended events –the most lively of those celebrations being Lakeland Day. This annual event stands as a hallmark of Lakeland’s community connection. On this special day, the entire community unites under the warmth of the summer sun and family banners, to forge deeper connections and reflect on the restorative justice needed to rectify injustices of the past, such as challenges faced during the mid-20th century. Lakeland lost over 50% of its land to what is now Lake Artemesia during urban renewal. Many families, particularly those of color, were displaced. Initiatives like the Community Preservation Trust acknowledge this injustice and actively collaborate with the Lakeland Community to help preserve owner-occupied housing and provide more opportunities for Lakeland former residents and descendants to return. Read more about Lakeland’s history and restorative justice efforts on the Lakeland Community Heritage Project’s website.
A Warm Welcome
As I attended Lakeland Day this past July, I was touched by the warm welcome I received. They made me feel as though I was a member of the community like any other, despite being an unfamiliar face.. It felt like a family reunion that I had been welcomed to and treated like one of their own. Lakeland Day weaves a tapestry of unity, creating a collective consciousness that defines the community’s spirit and purpose.
Lakeland is more than a historically disparaged community — it is a collective of leaders, movers, and shakers.
Tawfiq Abdul Karim
Lakeland is more than historically disparaged community —it is a collective of leaders, movers, and shakers. More than anything, Lakeland is an exemplary community that can inform both our work at the College Park Community Preservation Trust, a program of the Partnership, and our community as a whole. The success of Lakeland’s community can be attributed to its connections through history, geography, civic engagement, and communal spaces.
In an era where the bonds or community are weakened, Lakeland stands as a shining example of how civic engagement can establish and maintain meaningful community connections. Lakeland’s story is one of connection and resilience and serves as a guiding light for all seeking to build stronger communities in an increasingly disconnected world.