WEEKLY BULLETIN | February 25, 2022
Celebrating Black History Month

To celebrate Black culture and history, the City of College Park is giving away free copies of two books that embrace Blackness and help address racism. 

"Hair Love" by Matthew A. Cherry is a children’s book that highlights elements of Black culture, which have often been excluded or negatively portrayed in mainstream media. "The Racial Healing Handbook" by Dr. Anneliese A. Singh is a handbook for adults to raise consciousness of race and racism, challenge internalized negative messages, and heal from stress and trauma related to discrimination. The books are intended to spark mindful conversations, with children and adults.
 
For each book, the City has included several discussion prompts for individuals and families to aid in discussion and critical thinking. The City hopes these books will help create spaces for productive conversations.

Click here to reserve your copy, while supplies last. For more details, visit: https://www.collegeparkmd.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=339.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
History of Lakeland Community in College Park
Saturday, February 26, 2022 | Virtual | 2:00 p.m.

To learn more about Lakeland, the historic African American community of College Park, click here. Formed around 1890 on the doorstep of the Maryland Agricultural College, now the University of Maryland, the story of Lakeland is the tale of a community that was established and flourished in a segregated society, developing its own institutions and traditions, including the area’s only high school for African Americans, built in 1928. The Lakeland Community Heritage Project, was formed to preserve Lakeland’s history and the stories of its people through photographic archives and oral histories. Lakeland Community Heritage Project members Maxine Gross, Violetta Sharps-Jones, Courtnie Thurston, and Robert Thurston will lead the session. To register, visit: HyattsvilleAgingInPlace.org/events.
COVID-19 At-Home Test Kit Distribution

Limited Number of Free COVID-19 At-Home Test Kits Available for City Residents
The City of College Park will begin distributing more than 1,000 at-home COVID-19 test kits to City residents in early February. If you are a City resident and would like a FREE COVID-19 At-Home Test Kit, you must fill out the reservation request form here. More details are available at https://www.collegeparkmd.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=334.

More COVID-19 related updates are available at www.collegeparkmd.gov/covid19.
Free Tree Giveaway

The City is hosting a free Earth Day Tree Giveaway! City residents interested in participating in the tree giveaway must complete the registration form at www.collegeparkmd.gov/treegiveaway2022 by March 4, 2022. Once registered, residents need to come on Saturday, April 23, 2022, from 8:00 am until noon at the City’s Department of Public Works (located at 9217 51st Avenue) to pick up their tree(s).

No-Mow Month is this April

Want to help our pollinators and get this fancy yard sign? Register for No-Mow April at: www.collegeparkmd.gov/nomowmonthform.


The Bee City USA will host a No-Mow Q&A from 7-8 p.m. on March 9, 2022. To join, please click the Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/95328123396
A WEEK IN REVIEW
Department of Public Works
Items available to purchase from the Department: 


Call 240-487-3590 for more information, or visit: www.colllegeparkmd.gov/products.
For any information related to refuse, recycling, or other Public Works related items, contact the Department at: 240-487-3590 or publicworks@collegeparkmd.gov.

For a list of changes to Special Collection Pickups, including Yard Waste and for information about the Bulk Trash Changes, please visit: www.collegeparkmd.gov/specialcollections.

The Department is located at 9217 51st Ave. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Compost and wood mulch: Deliveries are beginning in March, click here to schedule a delivery. Material is available year-round for pick up, Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Bring a shovel and containers and be prepared to dig. 
Right-of-Way Pruning

City crews are working to prune vegetation, tree and/or shrub branches, that are overhanging into the public right-of-way to improve clearance for pedestrians on the sidewalk and vehicular clearance on the street. Pruning may include City trees & shrubs as well as vegetation growing from private property. The crew will be working in the following neighborhoods: The east side of Rhode Island Avenue north of Route 193. Work will continue through the winter, weather permitting. Please contact the horticulturist at DPW with questions.
Noise and Nuisance Municipal Infractions
February 14, 2022 to February 20, 2022
 
There were no violations of the Noise Ordinance, or Article I, 141-1 Danger to Public Safety/Health or Article II, 141-13 Unruly Social Gatherings.
Weekly Highlights of Contract Police Activity
February 11, 2022 to February 17, 2022
Monthly Public Safety Maps

For monthly Prince George's County Police public safety maps and statistical data for the City of College Park, visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/publicsafety.
CITY EVENTS
Public Safety Committee Meetings
Monday, March 14, 2022 | Virtual | 7:30 p.m.

Please join City Elected Officials, Police, Department of Public Services staff, and your neighbors from all around the City, for an informative monthly community meeting. This meeting takes place every second Monday of the month via zoom. Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/96168994626.

This community meeting will discuss City-wide crime statistics, recent incidents of public interest, neighborhood watch tips, and special public safety related topics.

To facilitate City-wide participation, these will be virtual meetings that you may join in from your home. Please invite your neighbors so that this useful information may be shared throughout the City. To access recordings of past meetings, please visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/publicsafety.

AARP Community Meeting - Save the Date
Monday, March 14, 2022 | Virtual | 7:00 p.m.

The goal of livability work is for people of all ages to...
  1. Feel safe in the community
  2. Participate in community activities
  3. Be treated with respect
  4. Have access to safe, appropriate and affordable housing and transportation
  5. Have access to recreational opportunities and health services
  6. Know what services and activities are available and have access to information by a means they prefer (e.g. online, in print, in person)
  7. Be active, vital contributors to the economic, civic and social life of the community
  8. Receive appropriate support if they can no longer look after themselves.

Meeting information, including Zoom links will be posted on our website closer to the event date. For more information, email: livablecommunity@collegeparkmd.gov or visit:
Clean-Up Saturdays & Shredding Event*
April 2*, 9, 30, and May 21, 2022
7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Department of Public Works, 9217 51st Avenue

*Shredding event is on Saturday, April 2, 2022 from 8:00 – 12:00 p.m.
 
The City of College Park Public Works facility will be open for City residents to drop off bulky trash, white goods, electronics recycling, brush, and yard trim. You must be a resident of the City of College Park and bring proof of City residency to participate, although anyone can buy compost or wood mulch during this event. Residents may also bring Styrofoam, small quantities of light bulbs and tubes, and batteries for recycling. 

Please note that by participating in City events, you acknowledge and assume all risks and liabilities including possible exposure to illnesses, including but not limited to COVID-19. Masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Community Meetings
Note: These are not City meetings but have City staff or Contract Police as a host.
PGPD District 1 Coffee Club:
Webinar (every 2nd & 4th Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.)
Join by phone: 978- 990-5399, Meeting ID: 833 9609 4990, Password: 720306
Office of the City Manager | 240.487.3501 | cpcommunications@collegeparkmd.gov | collegeparkmd.gov