Lakewood and Pierce County were recently named one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People by the America's Promise Alliance.
Test scores are rising in the Clover Park School District: in the recent state standardized tests for reading, fourth graders scores were up 3.7 percent, seventh graders scores were up 8.4 percent and 10th graders scores were up 13.7 percent. If you look around, you can find a fantastic school experience in Lakewood, though understand the schools are not immune from the social problems that affect many communities.
Mamo McGuire, a teacher at Lochburn Middle School, is one of two Washington state finalists for the 2005 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, the nation's highest honor of its kind.
The city government has worked to remove more than 3,000 junked vehicles, mostly along streets or other rights-of-way.
The city government has added more than 1,200 streetlights, lighting more than 60 miles of Lakewood streets before funding limitations kicked in.
The city has more than a dozen advisory committees with more than 100 volunteer members who meet to discuss the city's issues and possibilities.
Lakewood established its own police department in 2004. The department is already known statewide for innovation.
There has been a drop in violent crime of 47 percent since incorporation.
Lakewood's overall crime rate is down 26 percent since incorporation.
The city of Lakewood began a neighborhood police program -if you want to meet with an officer to discuss your neighborhood, it's not only possible: it's encouraged.
Fifty apartment complexes or other multifamily units have been through a program that gives managers the tools they need to avoid and battle crime in the housing, and certifies them as Crime Free
Lakewood has gone from having seven parks to 10 parks
The Lakewood Historical Society is investigating museum sites and has plans for a temporary storefront museum and collection space. Lakewood has its first history book, in print since November.
Both Harry Todd and American Lake parks have been improved, including new bathrooms and play equipment.
Fort Steilacoom Park features a massive children's playground and built with volunteer labor organized by the Rotary Club.
Springbrook Park opened in September 2002 in an area that badly needed a park.
Wards Lake Park opened in September 2004.
A walk around Lake Waughop - or anywhere in Fort Steilacoom Park - will refresh and delight anyone.
The Pierce College Library has been named the best community college library in the nation by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) for 2005.
The city has added 12 miles of sidewalks since incorporation (yes - I know not all of them were in the right place or configuration. How long do you go without making a mistake?)
Graduates of Pierce College Fort Steilacoom's Dental Hygiene program have been ranked in the top 10 nationally in composite certification test scores from among graduates of all the nation's dental hygiene programs for the last five years.
A skate park was added to Kiwanis Park in October 2000.
The city sponsors several popular events, including SummerFest, the Summer Concert Series, the Father-Daughter Dance, Parks Appreciation Day, and a Holiday Tree-lighting.
The Lakewood Playhouse has been entertaining residents for 50 years.
The city has received more than $2 million in grants to fund park acquisitions and improvements.
Lakewood is home to historic Thornewood Castle http://www.thornewoodcastle.com/
The Clover Park Kiwanis Club's largest project is "Bicycles from Heaven" in which the club works with the McNeill Island Corrections Center to refurbish and distribute bikes and helmets to those in the area who would not otherwise be able to afford bikes.
The Lakewood First Lions sponsor an annual 'Night of Giving' auction that raises many thousands for many nonprofits, ranging from Partners in Parks to Communities in Schools and a variety of scholarships.
Lakewood is home to the four buildings that were erected in 1858-59 as part of the first official U.S. presence in Washington Territory, Fort Steilacoom.
Lakewood's city government is not in debt.
The city has begun extension of sewers to the American Lake Gardens and Tillicum areas for business, health and community improvement reasons. More than 120 acres will become develop-able; one projection predicts 300 jobs generated in two years and 2,400 jobs in eight years.
Lakewood has grown from processing 988 building permits in 1997 and 919 in 1998 to 1,772 in 2004, worth an estimated $57 million.
Lakewold Gardens on Gravelly Lake is an internationally known tourist attraction.
The Lakewood Mall (OK, I know it has a new name, but old habits die hard) has become wildly successful, with several new businesses there or right on the way. Some of those businesses are the most successful of their kind in the region.
Jennifer Gleason, a registered nurse and clinical manager of critical care at St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood, has been chosen to receive the 2005 Circle of Excellence Award by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
Speaking of St. Clare, the hospital recently opened the St. Clare Specialty Center, a 50,000-square-foot medical building for physicians' offices and several outpatient services such as physical, occupational and speech therapies and outpatient diagnostic imaging.
The Clover Park School District's Native Pride dancers recently celebrated their 10th anniversary.
Feeling any better about Lakewood? I bet you are (unless I worded something funny and you have questions - if so, let me know). But I need your help. I tried to research and write more from various service clubs, etc..., but the job is getting overwhelming. I have to get back to my day job. Please click on the link below and help me out with ideas.
And now that you've read all these, I hereby go out and give you permission to be critical of something in Lakewood. Let's have some good discussions of where to go next in this city.
Now we're balanced.
I know there are many other good things to say about Lakewood. Help me share the good news! If you have an item that adds to the list of good news, or good things, about Lakewood, send it along!
View the latest good news about Lakewood
And now that you've read all these, I hereby go out and give you permission to be critical of something in Lakewood. Let's have some good discussions of where to go next in this city.
Now we're balanced.
I know there are many other good things to say about Lakewood. Help me share the good news! If you have an item that adds to the list of good news, or good things, about Lakewood, send it along!
View the latest good news about Lakewood