College Park, MD
With a rich history spanning over 150 years, College park is known as a hub for education, innovation, and experimentation. It is home to the world's oldest continuously running airport, two historic districts, and the University of Maryland's flagship campus. College Park is a designated Bee City USA and a Maryland Green Registry Participant.
Bike and Water Trails
College Park is connected to a network of bikeable and walkable scenic green way.
Walking Tours
The City of College Park has numerous self-guided historic walking tours available online.
College Park Events
The City of College Park showcases a number of fun, engaging events throughout the year including College Park Day, College Park Parade, Friday Night Live, and more.
College Park Aviation Museum & Airport
Did you know College Park is home to the oldest continually running airport? The College Park Airport was founded in 1909 when Wilbur Wright came here to give flight instructions to the first military aviators.
The College Park Aviation Museum opened in 1998 and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.
Visitors can expect hands-on activities, exhibits, and tours. Be sure to check out their African American Aviators and Women in Aviation Tours!
Background
The City of College Park was founded in 1856, with the establishment of Maryland Agricultural College, now The University of Maryland, by Charles Benedict Calvert, a slaveholding philanthropist, planter, and congressman. Present-day College Park is comprised of numerous early communities including Branchville, Berwyn, and Lakeland. The early neighborhood called College Park is now called Old Town.
On Early College Park Communities
- Calvert Hills Historic District
- Founding of the College Park Airport
- Lakeland Community Heritage Project: History of Lakeland
- Old Town College Park Historic District
- The Vision of Edward Daniels: The History and Heritage of Daniels Park and Hollywood on the Hill, Moriah James
On Slavery and Freedom
- Knowing our history : African American slavery & the University of Maryland, Ira Berlin & Students of History 429
- The 1856 Project: Universities Studying Slavery at the University of Maryland
- This Prince George’s County Plantation Museum Is Bringing Stories Of Enslaved People Out Of The Shadows, Aja Drain, The DCist
The College Park City Council is the governing body of the City, elected by and responsible to the voters.
The City Council appoints the City Manager, who manages the City's day-to-day operations.
The City Council consists of the Mayor and eight district Councilmembers. Our current mayor is Fazlul Kabir. Our mayor pro tem is Denise Mitchell. Our current city manager is Kenny Young.
| District | Name | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| District 1 | Alan Hew | ahew@collegeparkmd.gov |
| District 1 | Jacob Hernandez | jhernandez@collegeparkmd.gov |
| District 2 | Llatetra Brown Esters | lbesters@collegeparkmd.gov |
| District 2 | Susan Whitney | swhitney@collegeparkmd.gov |
| District 3 | Stuart Adams | sadams@collegeparkmd.gov |
| District 3 | John Rigg | jrigg@collegeparkmd.gov |
| District 4 | Denise Mitchell | dmitchell@collegeparkmd.gov |
| District 4 | Maria Mackie | mmackie@collegeparkmd.gov |
Living in College Park
College Park City-University Partnership Homeownership Program
The College Park City-University Partnership's Homeownership Program provides $15,000, in forgivable loans, to full-time, benefits-eligible University and City employees to become homeowners in the City of College Park–ultimately reducing commutes, strengthening neighborhoods, and supporting our local economy. Learn about Eligibility and Requirements
New Neighbors Homeownership Grant Program
The City of College Park New Neighbors Homeownership Grant Program is designed to increase the number of owner-occupied homes in the community. On a first-come, first-served basis, eligible buyers or buyers of eligible homes may receive a grant of either $5,000 or $10,000 in down payment or closing cost assistance. Learn about Eligibility and Requirements
Working in College Park
College Park is home to the University of Maryland's flagship campus, numerous government facilities, thriving local businesses, innovative tech, and more.
Start a Business in College Park
The City of College Park has an extensive guide on starting a business in College Park. With more than $1 billion in private investment planned within the next five years, College Park is primed for success.
Land Acknowledgment
Every community owes its existence and strength to the generations before them, around the world, who contributed their hopes, dreams, and energy into making the history that led to this moment.
Truth and acknowledgment are critical in building mutual respect and connections across all barriers of heritage and difference.
So, we acknowledge the truth that is often buried: We are on the ancestral lands of the Piscataway People, who are the ancestral stewards of this sacred land. It is their historical responsibility to advocate for the four-legged, the winged, those that crawl and those that swim. They remind us that clean air and pristine waterways are essential to all life.
This Land Acknowledgment is a vocal reminder for each of us as two-leggeds to ensure our physical environment is in better condition than what we inherited, for the health and prosperity of future generations.
The official University of Maryland Land Acknowledgment was created by a working group of students, faculty and staff who worked closely with Native and Indigenous Elders.