Jim Rouse designed Columbia to enhance interaction between people. This included many community mail boxes so neighbors would be sure to interact.

This feeling of closeness between people is symbolized by the People Tree, located adjacent to Lake
Kittamaqundi & the Rouse Company
headquarters building. This area is used for Fourth of July celebrations, summer concerts and Columbia's Anniversary celebrations.

Columbians purchased the brick name pavers, paying for the regilding of the People Tree in 1992

Wild Bird FeederCam on East Coast

A PLANNED CITY
Columbia is a planned community with 10 villages and a People Tree. The People Tree is a symbol of the community spirit of Columbia, which was 37 years old in June 2004.
Columbia has 5300 acres of permanent open space, including 144 tot lots, 225 pedestrian bridges, the 40-acre Symphony Woods, 3 lakes, 19 ponds and natural open space areas, interlaced with more than 83 miles of pathways for walking, biking, and jogging.

There is also a vast network or plazas, picnic areas, public areas, tennis courts (one is a Tennis Bubble), and two parcourse fitness trails.

Courtesy of the Columbia Association

The Real Life Truman Show