First of Its kind Partnership Brings Lifelong Learning to Mid-Atlantic 55+ Communtiy!
Slenker Communities Establishes OLLI Campus at Central Parke at Victoria Falls

Springfield, VA – [October 11, 2007]. Residents of Central Parke at Victoria Falls will see their community turned into a campus under a cutting-edge agreement between the University of Maryland’s The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and land developer Slenker Communities. The new relationship enables homeowners to take part in lifelong learning, service education and civic engagement right in their own community.

For the first time Osher Lifelong Learning at the University of Maryland (OLLI UMD) courses will be offered at Slenker’s nationally acclaimed 55+ community located in Laurel, Maryland.  Starting this week, an array of courses are being offered at Victoria Falls, with plans to expand to future Central Parke 55+ Resort Communities.

Bill Slenker, a Mid-Atlantic land developer of mixed-use, multi-generational and 55+ lifestyle communities, and Dr. William E. Kirwan, Chancellor of the University System of Maryland, announced the partnership at a ribbon cutting last Thursday. Slenker noted that the cutting edge effort evolved out of his team’s extensive market research and constant focus on the changing demographics and lifestyles of today’s buyers.

“Twenty-five years ago, putting a community center, pool and fitness center in an Active Adult community made it unique. Today such amenities are only average,” said Mr. Slenker. “Slenker Communities is proud to be designing for the new 55+ generation that has a passion for learning. Many are starting new careers, working longer and redefining retirement. They are no longer content sitting by a pool or playing cards. They want more out of life and they can find it at Central Parke communities.”

Established in 2006 by a grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation, OLLI UMD provides learning opportunities that address the interests, expertise, experiences, and commitments of people over fifty. Now, for the first time the programs will be offered in partnership with Central Parke at Victoria Falls, the leading 55+ community in the Washington, D.C. metro area. 

“Central Parke at Victoria Falls has been outperforming other communities since opening day when we had over 1,600 people on our waiting list,” according to William T. Slenker, President of Slenker Communities. “The 422 people who have purchased recognize the great value, location, amenities and variety of home choices that Central Parke at Victoria Falls provides.”

Slenker Communities’ highly successful and award-winning 55+ resort lifestyle communities have been recognized as among the best in the country. Central Parke at Victoria Falls, was named the best in the nation by the National Association of Home Builders. Their Ocean City, Maryland community The Parke at Ocean Pines, was twice named one of the 100 Best Master Planned Communities by Where to Retire magazine. The cutting-edge home designs regularly sweep the Monuments Awards every year.

The Private Resort Club at Central Parke at Victoria Falls has won rave reviews from homeowners. With its distinctive plum color and Victorian design, the 13,500 square foot Resort club is the social hub of the community offering a state-of-the-art Fitness Center, Indoor Lap Pool, Outdoor Pool and Terrace, Grand Room/Auditorium, Library & Business Center, Catering Kitchen, Massage Room, Whirlpool Spa and Sauna, Card Room, Billiards and Sports Lounge, Arts & Crafts Studio, and Barbecue Area. Victoria Falls also features a waterfall entrance, community parks, Tennis Center, and a Mail Pavilion. Central Parke’s extensive Carefree Maintenance Program takes care of mowing the lawn, fertilizing, mulching of shrub and flower beds, cleaning gutters, and shoveling snow and clearing it right up to your front door and garage. The Carefree Maintenance Program gives homeowners more time to enjoy the community’s resort-style amenities.

Central Parke at Victoria Falls is the only 55+ community in Maryland with an on-site lifelong learning program. “Slenker Communities is excited to start a new trend by providing our residents with opportunities to learn, grow and share new experiences,” added Mr. Slenker. “This partnership is an example of how we constantly look for innovative ideas to create communities where the buyers of tomorrow will want to live. Going forward, we will continue to build on these strengths, while reinventing what 55+ lifestyle communities look and feel like,” said Mr. Slenker.

“I am so impressed by the community that has been created at Central Parke at Victory Falls,” said Dr. William E. Kirwan. “Here you have a group of Active Adults with a passion for learning and a wonderful resource like OLLI to meet their needs.”

For residents like Sally Frizalone, OLLI is another way to keep active and grow. “The fact that Slenker Communities and the University of Maryland are doing this for us is a generous gesture to the residents,” said Ms. Frizalone.

For more information on Slenker Communities, please visit their website at www.slenkercommunities.com, e-mail info@slenkercommunities.com, or telephone 703-462-9150. For information on Central Parke 55+ Resort Communities, please visit www.centralparke.com. For information on OLLI UMD, please visit their website at www.hhp.umd.edu/health_services/osher or telephone 301-405-2469.

About Central Parke® 55+ Resort Communities

Central Parke 55+ Resort Communities is a division of Slenker Communities, a Mid-Atlantic land developer of mixed-use, multi-generational and 55+ lifestyle communities. Central Parke 55+ Resort Communities are known for their extraordinary lifestyle, highly desirable locations where residents can live close to family and friends, and extensive collection of homes built by some of the nation’s most respected builders. All Central Parke 55+ Resort Communities feature homes offering the ease of spacious, one-level living, resort-style amenities, and their signature Carefree Maintenance Program. Slenker Communities is currently developing three 55+ Resort Communities around the Mid-Atlantic area: Central Parke at Victoria Falls in Laurel, Maryland; Central Parke at Colonial Charles in Charles County, Maryland; and Central Parke at Milford Ponds in Milford, Delaware. Plans for more communities are underway. For more information on Slenker Communities and Central Parke 55+ Resort Communities, please visit www.slenkercommunities.com or www.centralparke.com, or call their toll-free number at 800-876-7549.

About OLLI UMD

Established in 2006 by a grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation, OLLI UMD provides learning opportunities that address the interests, expertise, experiences, and commitments of people over fifty. For information on OLLI UMD, please visit their website at www.hhp.umd.edu/health_services/osher or telephone 301-405-2469.