College Park is home to the University of Maryland, a fact that plays a vital role in the town’s activities and dynamic energy.  Football and basketball are popular spectator sports, although residents enjoy the diversity of performing arts programs made possible by the university’s vast resources.  The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center serves as a spectacular village of venues with six outstanding performance halls.  Newer home construction in College Park is limited, but an extensive urban renewal program has been replacing older homes with more affordable modern structures to create a wider selection of options and price ranges.  The first airport in the nation was opened in College Park and is still operational today.  The town is ideal for commuters, since it is located just 10 miles from the District of Columbia via Route 1 and Interstate 495.