The Columbia Association in Columbia, MD is the largest Homeowners' Association in the country.  It provides hundreds of programs and services.  Columbia was James Rouse's brain child.  He said, "There really can be no other right purpose of community except to provide an environment and an opportunity to develop better people.  The most successful community would be that which contributed the most by its physical form, its institutions and its operations to the growth of people."  The Columbia Association or CA strives to enhance the quality of life for people living and working in Columbia, to respect the land, to foster the growth of individuals to ensure that the community remains open, integrated and caring. 

CA is a private, nonprofit property owners association. CA operates a welcome center, an art center, a teen center, an archives, three fitness clubs that are modern and well maintained, an ice rink, a sports park with miniature golf, batting cages and a skateboard facility, two golf clubs, three tennis clubs, 23 outdoor swimming pools, an indoor swim center (that has an incredible water flue and is especially fun for young and old alike) and a volunteer center.  It also maintains more than 3,400 acres of open space.  There are lakes, parks, 165 tot lots, over 92 miles of pathway as well as community and neighborhood centers in the community.  CA offers many programs and activities, created to encourage the community to celebrate its diversity, not only of race, but of age, religion, gender and economic status.  CA strives to ensure that all of its programs and services are accessible to persons with disabilities.  The Columbia Associations's link to the web is http://www.columbiaassociation.com/.  Columbia is a great place to live.

Gina Gulliford, Long&Foster, RealtorsÒ