More than 100 residents and passersby came through the intersection of Rhode Island Avenue and Edgewood Road on May 30 for the second “Hey, Hollywood” gathering hosted by the North College Park Community Organization (NCPCA).
NCPCA President Kamthorn Clary started the event in 2024 after residents of College Park’s Hollywood neighborhood told him, during his unsuccessful campaign for College Park City Council the year before, that they wanted a way to get to know each other.
“It’s just kind of providing the space to, ideally, leisurely talk about the things that matter most to our community,” Clary said.
The outdoor block party featured ice cream, craft-making activities, a karate demonstration and a yoga class.
During a group yoga session hosted by Tina McCloud, owner of the business Got Yoga?, residents stood in a circle doing deep breathing and introducing themselves while engaging in laughter exercises.
“Laughter is the best way to break the ice and have unity and community,” McCloud said.
Donny Scally, who teaches free karate classes every Sunday at Hollywood Park, used his elbow to break a cement block in two during a demonstration.
The College Park Arts Exchange was at the event to host craft-making activities, such as button making and ’zine creation.
Residents mingled on the small plaza at the intersection.
Chip Clemmer of College Park’s Daniels Park neighborhood said he came to enjoy the warm, sunny day with neighbors.
Hollywood resident Justin Leary said the party gave him a chance to meet neighbors he didn’t know.
“Well, I mean, it’s working, right?” Leary said. “We’ve got people here I’ve not met, people from around who are just stopping by. It’s just little bits like this that bring people together and get to know each other.”
Arelis Perez, NCPCA’s vice president and a volunteer for the College Park group Neighbors Helping Neighbors, said she used the event to recruit volunteers for the nonprofit, which helps seniors and disabled residents with chores like snow shoveling and rides to doctor’s appointments.
College Park City Councilmembers Jacob Hernandez and Alan Hew, who represent District 1, chatted with constituents while enjoying ice cream and ice pops. Prince George’s County state’s attorney candidate Karen Piper Mitchell said she came to campaign and meet with potential voters. Maryland Sen. Jim Rosapepe (District 21), who lives in College Park’s Berwyn neighborhood, was also there.
College Park Mayor Fazlul Kabir, who lives in Hollywood, praised the community’s use of the Hollywood area streetscape, which he said was part of the $2.8 million Hollywood commercial district renovation and revitalization project.
“This is so exciting,” Kabir said. “We created this space so many years ago … and now I’m so happy to see this is part of our community effort to reactivate this area.”