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Hi Ann,
"The party and equipment rentals were returned this morning and, with
spirited help from a group of Sunday clean-up volunteers who were still buzzing
about the fun they had at the Centennial Celebration, the beach is now as it
was...leaving only the lasting and special memories of a truly remarkable
Lakewood event. By all accounts it was a wonderful gathering and your praises
are being sung thru the 'hood and beyond; you have been kind to share the
accolades with those of us fortunate enough to work with you on the project, but
we are well aware that it was your direction that kept us on task and on
schedule. Thanks for your outstanding effort in marking the anniversary and for
ushering us into the next century in grand style!"
Bob H. - Board Member
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100 YEARS ON THE LAKE: LAKEWOOD
CENTENNIAL - Deborah Burstyn
Orange and raspberry parasols
matched the early sunset hues glinting on the lake. It was one of the last hot
nights of summer and the old-fashioned lemonade being served was in much demand
as the grown-ups talked while children cavorted on the sand and splashed in the
darkening lake waters. An old fashioned barbershop quartet strolled the beach
while children played games similar to those played in days gone by.
It was in many
ways a party at the lake much like any other. But this was one was in fact
special. This was a party celebrating the centennial anniversary of the lake
itself – the mostly hidden lake and dam from which the Walnut Creek neighborhood
Lakewood gets its name.
Lakewood, a
tree-lined old Walnut Creek neighborhood, today has over 500 homes, a swim club,
an elementary school, a trailhead into Shell Ridge Open Space, a special use
park and a private lake. Anyone in Lakewood can send their children to Indian
Valley Elementary, join Indian Valley Swim Club, picnic in Howe Homestead Park
and hike in Shell Ridge. But only 53 Lakewood families can loll on the sandy
beach and paddle in the cool dark waters of the gated lake. A lucky few live in
one of the tranquil homes circling the lake. Others, who live in the tangle of
winding lanes surrounding the lake, own homes with lake privileges. But not all
members do. Every now and then a lake membership comes up for sale. The going
rate is about $10,000 and only a home within the borders of the Lakewood
neighborhood can buy it.
But Lakewood’s
lake today is a lot less exclusive than it was 100 years ago when it was built
as a resort community by Robert Burgess (who also built Diablo Country Club).
Back then with far fewer homes it was governed by a restrictive covenant.
Today the lake is
just a beloved amenity for lake members. With its reedy little beach and simple
dock, it may not look like much to outsiders. But to those who live there now or
who grew up there it is intertwined with blissful memories.
At the centennial
celebration, designed and planned by neighborhood resident, Ann Saavedra,
of DREAMCATCHER EVENTS, several of Robert Burgess’s grandchildren, now
grandparents themselves, came to share memories of their lakeside childhoods.
Their tales of fishing, swimming and canoeing were not so very different from
the way kids play on the lake today.
For grown-ups,
living on the lake offers more than play. It is a slice of serenity in an ever
more urban Walnut Creek.
“Sometimes when
I’m washing my dishes,” said resident Brenda McNeely, “I look out my kitchen
window and see herons on the lake. And I think, wow, I live in heaven.”
That’s probably
just what Burgess would have wanted to hear. Following the event, a note to Ann
Saavedra, sent by on of the granddaughters said that her grandparents loved to
entertain at the lake and would have been happy to know the residents have
carried on their tradition..
Deborah
Burstyn
(www.deborahburstyn.com) is a Walnut Creek writer who has lived in Lakewood for over 20 years.
Although not a lake member, Burstyn is thankful that her three kids all were
friendly with lake family kids and experienced a little of the loveliness of
life on the lake. |
