Camden College Park: A Blend of History, Community, and Modern Living
College Park, Maryland, a city steeped in history and brimming with modern amenities, offers a unique living experience. From its roots as a humble settlement to its present-day status as a thriving city and home to the University of Maryland, College Park has a rich story to tell.
Historical Roots and Development
The earliest signs of human presence in the College Park area date back to 3000 to 2600 BC, as evidenced by archaeological finds south of Archives II. These discoveries suggest a growing sedentary lifestyle among Native American populations during the Late Archaic period.
European settlers established large plantations throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. Toaping Castle is one example of an early land grant. The Rossborough Inn, completed in 1803, stands as the oldest building in College Park.
The original College Park subdivision was platted in 1872. It was re-platted in 1889 by Washington real estate developers John O. Johnson and Samuel Curriden. This 125-acre tract was divided into a grid-street pattern featuring long, narrow building lots.
In 1909, the College Park Airport was established by the United States Army Signal Corps. It served as a training location for military officers to learn to fly. The airport holds the distinction of being the world's oldest continuously operated airport.
Read also: A Look Inside Camden Catholic High School
Commercial development gained momentum in the 1920s, spurred by increased automobile traffic and the expanding University of Maryland campus along Baltimore Avenue/Route 1. By the late 1930s, the original subdivision saw partial development, with fraternities and sororities building houses in the neighborhood. Post-World War II construction primarily consisted of infill of ranch and split-level houses.
Neighborhood Evolution
Several distinct neighborhoods contribute to College Park's diverse character:
- Lakeland: Developed around the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad beginning in 1890, Lakeland was envisioned as a resort-type community. However, due to its flood-prone topography, it became a predominantly African-American settlement. Around 1900, the Baltimore Gold Fish Company created five artificial lakes for spawning goldfish. By 1903, Lakeland had an established African-American community with a school and two churches. Lakeland High School opened in 1928, serving all African American students in the northern half of the county until 1950.
- Berwyn: Developed from about 1885 adjacent to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Francis Shannabrook established a depot, general store, and about 15 homes to attract moderate-income families. The neighborhood grew after 1900 with the arrival of the City and Suburban Electric Railway.
- Daniels Park: Developed in 1905 on both sides of the City and Suburban Electric Railway in north College Park. Edward Daniels created this small residential subdivision with single-family houses arranged along a grid pattern of streets.
- Hollywood: Developed in the early 20th century along the City and Suburban Electric Railway. Development was slow until after World War II, when Albert Turner developed and marketed brick and frame three-bedroom bungalows beginning in 1950.
Transformation and Growth
In 1943, the Washington Senators relocated their spring training camp to College Park. From the 1960s through the 1980s, an Urban Renewal Project took place in Lakeland, redeveloping approximately two-thirds of the community.
The College Park-University of Maryland station opened in 1993, connecting College Park to Washington D.C. via Metro.
By the 21st century, College Park experienced significant development pressure. Early mixed-used projects along Baltimore Avenue included the View I (2006) and II (2010), Mazza Grandmarc (2010), and the Varsity (2011).
Read also: NJAC Championship Victory: Rutgers-Camden Baseball
In June 2020, the city government passed a resolution renouncing systemic racism and declaring support for Black Lives. It recognized the harm done to the historic African American community of Lakeland.
Geography and Climate
College Park is located in Prince George's County, Maryland, and is part of the Washington metropolitan area. Most of its neighborhoods lie inside the Capital Beltway. The city straddles Paint Branch and Indian Creek, whose confluence forms the Northeast branch of the Anacostia River.
The neighborhoods initially incorporated in 1945, plus Sunnyside, lie between the Washington-Baltimore CSX railway tracks and Route 1/Baltimore Avenue. West of Baltimore Avenue are primarily residential neighborhoods with various architectural styles. Commercial activity concentrates along Baltimore Avenue, Greenbelt Road, and Berwyn Road. The University of Maryland campus occupies 41% of the city's surface.
The climate features hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. Tornadoes are rare, but a significant F3 tornado struck the area in 2001, causing considerable damage.
Demographics
As of the 2010 census, College Park had a population of 30,413. The racial makeup was 63.0% White, 14.3% African American, 0.3% Native American, 12.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 6.0% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races.
Read also: Explore CCC Careers
The median age in the city was 21.3 years. 7.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 60.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 15.7% were from 25 to 44; 11% were from 45 to 64; and 5.1% were 65 years of age or older.
As of the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the city was $50,168, and the median income for a family was $62,759.
Economy and Community
The University of Maryland significantly shapes College Park's economy. It contributes to over half of the city's total employment and a notable fraction of its population. The Discovery district also includes technology companies generally related to the university, with quantum technology experiencing rapid growth since 2010.
College Park organizes several annual events, including College Park Day in October at the College Park Aviation Museum & Airport. The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center and the Adele H. Stamp Student Union host various performances and events.
The city offers a diverse range of restaurants and a vibrant sports culture centered around the University of Maryland's athletic teams. College Park maintains 11 parks, including Lake Artemesia, a popular spot for recreation.
Government and Infrastructure
College Park has operated under the council-manager form of government since 1960. The City Council, composed of eight members representing four districts, makes all city policy. The Mayor is elected at large. The Council appoints the City Manager, who manages city services and implements policy.
Camden College Park Apartments
Camden College Park is a 508-unit apartment community. It offers a variety of living options, from studios to two-bedroom lofts, with over 142 distinct floor plans. The apartments feature full-size washers and dryers, fireplaces, private terraces, and built-in desks and shelving.
Community amenities include a clubhouse with an exercise center, game room, juice bar, and conference room. Outdoor amenities include a landscaped pool area with cascading water fountains, a croquet lawn, and a putting green.
The apartments offer two finish options: traditional and modern. Traditional apartments feature warm wood cabinetry, white appliances, and laminate countertops. Modern finishes include dark wood, flat-front cabinetry with brushed nickel fixtures, white subway tile backsplashes, and stainless steel appliances, along with white quartz countertops with single basin, undermount kitchen sinks with pull-down sprayer faucets.
Most apartments feature wood-look flooring in the kitchens with carpet in the living areas and bedroom; some apartments have wood-look flooring throughout. Apartment homes also have ceiling fans in the living areas and bedrooms. Additional conveniences include walk-in closets, USB outlets, private patios/balconies, flex spaces for a home office, and built-in desks and shelving in some homes. Residents can take advantage of the covered resident parking garage.
The community also includes a 24-hour fitness center, a resident lounge with billiards, a 24-hour workspace with WiFi and cloud printing, and a resort-style swimming pool with poolside lounging and dining.
Camden College Park is a pet-friendly community, welcoming cats and dogs up to 75 pounds with a limit of three pets per apartment home (breed restrictions apply).
Clark Realty Builders (CRB) served as the general contractor for Camden College Park. The team incorporated numerous green materials in construction, including local brick, EnergyStar® windows and appliances, recycled wood cabinetry, and low-VOC paints.
tags: #Camden #College #Park #history #and #information
