Cheverly: A neighborly niche in Prince George's County Her husband, Abou, enjoys the town's diversity and welcoming spirit. Cheverly "makes you feel like a part of something, and not just in it," said Abou Kone, 29. Residents have found that it's easy to be a part of this Prince George's County community of 6,500. Many have chosen to join groups such as the Parent Resource Center and the Cheverly Community Market. There are environmental groups, a garden club, an American Legion post, the Boys & Girls Club, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the swim club, and church, school and civic organizations. Michael Callahan, the town's mayor since 2010, said he and his wife, Peggy, were looking for an affordable place within commuting distance when they moved from Arlington County in 1985. We had no intention of staying. But what we found was it was a community we just couldn't leave," said Callahan, 58, who raised his three children in Cheverly and was active in the Boys & Girls Club. "Somebody has an idea and people do a tremendous job of supporting it," Callahan said. People give back to the community on a very consistent basis. Multigenerational: The pull of the community was also strong for Jeanne and John Doherty, who grew up in Cheverly and returned to raise their children. Jeanne, 50, whose father is town historian Raymond Bellamy, is one of several generations of her family to live in Cheverly. The town's Bellamy Park is named for her grandfather. "I think it's a great place to make memories with your family," she said while her niece, Jenna Bellamy, romped through a playground on a Sunday afternoon in Gast Park, known locally as "Cheese Park" because its yellow play equipment resembles Swiss cheese. John, 51, recalled playing football in the same park as a youngster. He and his wife attended St. Ambrose School in Cheverly. Brian Callahan, 37, who is not related to the mayor, was busy running after his sons, Shea, 4, and Gavin, 2, at the park. He had high praise for the town's play group that meets Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays. "We've met a lot of great friends," he said. Nearby attractions: Cheverly's snug location between major highways just minutes from the D.C. line has long attracted government workers. Commuters gravitate to Chev­erly, says Michael Callahan, because of the inside-the-Beltway location that allows easy access via automobile or the Cheverly Metrorail station. "You can get back at 6 or 6:30 and have a family life," he said. In addition to Metrorail and Metrobus, Cheverly is served by Prince George's County's transit system, The Bus. The community also is close to Prince George's Hospital Center, the Publick Playhouse performing arts center, and several shopping areas along the Route 202 corridor.