For over 55 years former Mayor Jacqueline Rynerson was involved in every aspect of our civic life: as a volunteer in the Lakewood incorporation movement in 1954, as a member of the Lakewood Park, Recreation and Parkway District board of directors, as a Recreation and Community Services Commissioner, as a leader of Project Shepherd, as a city planning commissioner, and as a city council member and mayor.
“She was--and will always be--a ‘legend’ of Lakewood and one of my personal heroes. She was for me--as she was for so many in lives in Lakewood--a guide, a mentor, a leader, and a shining example,” said Lakewood Mayor Steve Croft.
Rynerson died of a stroke on Tuesday April 15, 2008. She was 87.
Click for video of Rynerson's reflections on her life in Lakewood
Biography of Jacqueline Rynerson
Former Mayor Jacqueline Rynerson and her husband Dewain were attracted to Lakewood, she said in a 1980 interview, because Lakewood was one of the first planned communities in the nation. The Rynersons felt it would be exciting to live – and raise a family – in an area that was starting as a new community.
She soon found that pioneering included a quick course in local politics: Long Beach wanted to annex her neighborhood. Hearing the news, Jackie sought out the first person she could find for more information. It happened to be the Avon lady, and the Avon lady knew all about it. Jackie was invited to a community meeting where she found out even more. She was hooked. Jackie joined her neighbors in circulating petitions that opposed annexation by Long Beach.
By May 1953, a group of concerned Lakewood citizens had formed the Lakewood Civic Council to guide the anti- annexation movement. This group, which included Jacqueline Rynerson, lawyers Angelo Iacoboni and John S. Todd, and teacher George Nye, Jr. among others, successfully thwarted further annexation efforts and went on to develop a plan for the incorporation of Lakewood.
Jackie worked tirelessly for the incorporation effort, making her home one of the headquarters for organizing other young men and women who wanted Lakewood to be independent.
On March 9, 1954, Lakewood residents voted in favor of incorporation and Lakewood, with an estimated population of 71,000, achieved cityhood under the “Lakewood Plan.” The first of its kind, the plan allowed Lakewood to retain local control of its government, including the setting of policies and budgets, while contracting with Los Angeles County for existing services.
Jackie was soon invited to serve on a citizen advisory committee to ask Lakewood residents how they wanted their parks developed. She listened. She heard from people like herself – residents with growing families. This experience left a lasting impression on her and prompted her to have great faith in the value of citizen involvement.
She was elected to the board of directors of the Lakewood Park, Recreation and Parkway District. The board became, in 1957, Lakewood’s Recreation and Community Services Commission. Jackie was an active commission member, served several terms as chairman, and oversaw the development of Lakewood’s parks and community facilities, including the Weingart Senior Center, the Palms Park Community Center, and the Lakewood Community Gardens.
She spearheaded recycling in the community and helped create the Lakewood Environmental Council. When the environmental body was merged with the Planning Commission, Jackie became a charter member of the new Planning and Environment Commission. She served three terms as chairman, emphasizing programs such as the Lakewood Home Improvement Loan Program and the use of federal Community Development Block Grants to improve eastern Lakewood neighborhoods.
She also volunteered to serve as chair of the Project Shepherd assistance program for families in need.
In 1978, Rynerson was elected to the city council, retiring twelve years later. During her years as a council member, Rynerson worked to restore the Lakewood Golf Course Clubhouse, bring cable television service to Lakewood, expand the city’s emergency preparedness programs, build The Centre at Sycamore Plaza, set up the Lakewood Neighborhood Watch program, enlarge the Lakewood Youth Center at Del Valle Park, modernize the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station, increase number of deputies assigned to Lakewood, construct the John S. Todd Community Center, and purchase the Lakewood Equestrian Center.
She also began the Lakewood Beautiful Home Awards program.
River Park was renamed Rynerson Park in her honor in 1990. (The city acquired the use of the power line right-of-way on the east bank of the San Gabriel River in 1968 to create River Park, which was dedicated in 1975.) Rynerson Park’s $1.4 million expansion project – including new playground equipment, jogging paths, picnic shelters, and an outdoor fitness center – earned the environmental award of the California Parks and Recreation Society.
Service to the Lakewood Community
▪ Mayor of Lakewood - 1980-1981, 1984-1985 and 1988-1989.
▪ City Council Member - elected April, 1978; re-elected April 1982 and 1986. Retired from the city council in 1990.
▪ Founder of Lakewood Beautiful Home Awards Program and former chair of its advisory council.
▪ Chairman (former) - Southern California Association of Governments Overall Work Program Committee
▪ Member (former) - Southern California Association of Governments Executive Committee.
▪ Member (former) - Board of Directors, Senior Care Action Network.
▪ League of California Cities representative (former) to the National League of Cities Economic and Community Development Committee.
▪ Alternate Commission Member (former) - California Coastal Commission.
▪ Member (former) - Board of Directors, Greater Long Beach Girl Scout Council.
▪ Chairman (former) - Lakewood Planning Environment Commission.
▪ Chairman (former) - Lakewood Recreation and Community Services Commission.
▪ Member (former) - Lakewood Park, Recreation and Parkway District Board. The board (no longer in existence) preceded the formation of the recreation commission.
▪ Member (former) - Citizens Advisory Committee. The committee (no longer in existence) preceded the formation of the recreation district and set the pattern for Lakewood's park development.
▪ Secretary (former) - Lakewood Civic Council. The Civic Council (no longer in existence) fought the annexation of Lakewood in 1953 and aided in the incorporation of the city in 1954.
Recognition for Service
▪ Honored with the naming of Rynerson Park (formerly River Park) in her honor in 1990.
▪ President's Award, Senior Care Action Network, 1988.
▪ 54th Assembly District "Woman of the Year" - California State Legislature, 1987.
▪ "Woman of Distinction" - Lakewood/Long Beach Soroptimist Club, 1987.
▪ "Citation of Merit" award - National Recreation and Park Association for lifetime service to improving community recreation opportunities, 1987.
▪ "1986 Woman of the Year" - Cerritos Community College.
