Central Parke at Victoria Falls

Central Parke at Victoria Falls is a 55+ active adult community of 609 homes in Laurel, Maryland, strategically positioned between Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Annapolis at the intersection of I-95 and I-200 (the Inter-County Connector). Built between 2006 and 2011, the community was named "Best Active Adult Community in the Nation" by the National Association of Home Builders' 50+ Housing Council, a distinction that reflects the quality of both the homes and the resort-style amenity package. The community offers an unusually diverse mix of housing for an active adult community: 112 detached single-family homes, 247 attached villas, and 250 condominiums. Sturbridge Homes built the condominiums, Craftstar and Drees Homes built the villas, and Michael Harris Homes built the single-family homes. Single-family and villa floor plans feature first-floor primary suites with walk-in closets, attached garages, and open living spaces designed for easy aging in place. The condominium buildings include elevators and covered garage parking beneath the residences, making them especially practical for buyers who want to step away from stairs entirely. While the community is deed-restricted to 55+, the rules allow household members as young as 19 to live there as long as at least one occupant is over 55 — a flexibility point that sets it apart from stricter age-restricted communities. The heart of the community is the 13,500-square-foot Resort Club, a clubhouse built around a genuine resort concept rather than a basic amenity room. Inside, residents have access to an indoor pool, state-of-the-art fitness center with cardio and strength equipment, whirlpool spa, sauna, massage room, locker rooms, billiards room, card room, library with computers, business center, grand ballroom/auditorium, sports lounge, catering kitchen, and an arts and crafts studio. Outside, there is a large outdoor pool, two tennis courts (also used for pickleball), bocce ball, walking and biking trails, a gazebo, community gardens, and landscaped grounds that include a one-acre lake with fountains, a waterfall feature, and four Victorian-style gardens that give the community its name. A full-time Lifestyle / Activities Director programs the community calendar with clubs, classes, lectures, and day trips. Active groups include the AM Walking Club, Arts & Crafts, Bid Whist, Billiards Club, Bocce Ball Club, Book Club, Bridge Club, Cards Club, Caregivers Support Group, Charity Drives, Ping Pong Club, Scrabble, Travel Club, Wine Club, Yoga, and a Social Planning Group, among others. Monthly activity calendars circulate throughout the community so residents can plan around special events and excursions. HOA dues cover exterior lawn care, landscaping, gutter cleaning, snow removal, trash, management, and full use of the Resort Club and grounds. A modest Victoria Falls Special Taxing District assessment funds community infrastructure. The location is one of the community's strongest selling points: Laurel Regional Medical Center sits about half a mile away, the Laurel Towne Centre shopping and dining district is minutes away, and downtown Baltimore, Annapolis, and Washington D.C. are each roughly 30 minutes by car. BWI and Reagan National airports are both accessible for travel, and the Montpelier Cultural Arts Center, multiple golf courses, and Historic Laurel's shops and library round out the nearby options.