Focus on Maryland's Charles County: Commuters nearer to nature, shopping

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By Michele Lerner, SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Charles County, Md., celebrates its 350th anniversary this year. Created in 1658 and named for Charles Calvert, the third Lord Baltimore, this county is 20 miles south of the District and less than one hour's drive from Annapolis.

The Patuxent River and 150 miles of Potomac River shoreline make fishing and boating a popular pastime for residents and visitors to this part of Southern Maryland, which has plenty of golf courses and parks for outdoor recreation.

The population of Charles County grew to 140,416 in 2006, up from 120,546 in 2000, according to the county government (www.charlescounty.org). The largest local employers include American Community Properties Trust, a development corporation; Automated Graphic Systems Inc., a commercial printer; Besche Oil Co.; Chaney Enterprises, which produces concrete and gravel; Chopp and Co. Inc., a building supply company; Civista Medical Center; the College of Southern Maryland; Facchina Construction Co.; the Indian Head naval base Energetics Center; Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative; and Southern Maryland Oil.

Most of the residential development in Charles County clusters near Waldorf and St. Charles Towne Center, where shops and restaurants can be found in abundance, along with golf courses and recreational amenities such as the Capital Clubhouse. At this venue, local residents can enjoy ice skating, ice hockey, volleyball and more.

Lennar Corp. is building town homes and single-family homes at Fairway Village in Waldorf, a 9,100-acre planned community with an 18-hole golf course, parks, trails, a swimming pool, a clubhouse, tennis courts and ball fields. In addition to enjoying this array of recreational amenities, residents are within an easy drive of St. Charles Towne Center. The single-family homes, with four bedrooms and three baths, are priced from the upper $300,000s to the mid-$400,000s. The town homes, with three bedrooms and four baths, are priced from the mid $300,000s. Call 888/214-2089 for the single-family homes, 888/214-1796 for the town homes or visit www.lennar.com.

Ryan Homes is building single-family homes with up to five bedrooms and up to 3 1/2 baths at Eagle Ridge in Waldorf, a wooded enclave with homesites of up to 3 acres. The homes can be built with up to 4,900 finished square feet and a garage for up to three cars. Call 301/274-1781 or visit www.ryanhomes.com.

At Worthington Estates in Waldorf, a community close to parks, lakes and woods, Caruso Homes Inc. is building brick-front single-family homes on quarter-acre homesites. Priced from the low $400,000s, these homes have four or five bedrooms, two or three full baths, high ceilings and a gas fireplace. Call 301/885-0900 or visit www.carusohomes.com.

Marrick Homes Inc. is building single-family homes on quarter-acre sites at North Pointe in Waldorf, a community adjacent to the Southview Golf Course within walking distance of the Mattawoman Creek watershed. The homes, priced from the $300,000s, have four bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and a two-car garage. Call 301/645-2490 or visit www.Marrickinc.com.

Ryan Homes is building single-family homes at Brentwood in Waldorf, a community with tree-lined streets, sidewalks and walking trails just minutes from St. Charles Towne Center. The homes have up to 4,700 square feet and up to four bedrooms with 3 1/2 baths. A wide range of home styles is available here, each with a two-car garage and a site that backs to woods or open space. The homes are priced from the low $300,000s to the low $500,000s. Call 301/638-9173 or visit www.Ryanhomes.com.

Nearby at Autumn Hills, Ryan Homes is building single-family homes that back to woods in a family-friendly community with a tot lot, a picnic pavilion, a multipurpose court and walking trails. Each home has four bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, a two-car garage and up to 6,000 square feet. The homes are priced from the mid-$300,000s to the upper $400,000s. Call 301/396-8460 or visit www. Ryanhomes.com.