The City of Lakewood is peppered with distinct names of those who helped create and shape "tomorrow's city today." So, who was Mae Boyar or Mr. Iacoboni? How about Simon Bolivar? And, why are there so many facilities named after Ben Weingart?
Biscailuz Park
Eugene Biscailuz was the Sheriff of Los Angeles County when Lakewood incorporated in 1954. He was instrumental in creating the “contract plan” for sheriff’s law enforcement in Lakewood. Biscailuz Park was dedicated in 1959.
Bloomfield Park
Originally, this was a county park facility, annexed with the surrounding neighborhoods in 1962. In 1983, Bloomfield Park was given a $250,000 facelift.
Bolivar Park
Simon Bolivar was a soldier-statesman to whom six Latin-American countries owe their freedom. Bolivar Park was dedicated in I957. Several park facilities are named after Latin-American statesmen. This was due to the Pan American Festival Association, which was formed in 1948 to celebrate the friendship between the United States and the peoples of Mexico and Central and South America.
Pat McCormick Pool in Bolivar Park is named after Pat McCormick, who was an Olympic gold medalist in diving both in 1952 and in 1956. She was a resident of Lakewood.
Burns Community Center
William Burns was one of Lakewood’s first city council members. The Burns Community Center was dedicated in 1976.
Cherry Cove Park
This park was provided by the developers of the Cherry Cove housing tract.
Del Valle Park
Jose del Valle was the liberator of Honduras. The park was dedicated in 1957. What about the airplane? It is a Douglas F3D jet fighter that flew during the Korean War. The jet plane is Lakewood’s war memorial.
Iacoboni Library
Angelo Iacoboni was Lakewood’s first Mayor in 1954.
Mae Boyar Park
Mae Boyar was the wife of Louis Boyar, one of the original developers of Lakewood (along with Mark Taper and Ben Weingart). Boyar Park was dedicated in 1959.
Mayfair Park
Mayfair Park was dedicated in 1951 as a County of Los Angeles facility. Mayfair Park takes its name from the surrounding housing tract, which was then known as the Mayfair District.
George Nye, Jr. Library
George Nye was another one of the original city council members.
Palms Park
Palms Park was dedicated in 1978 and includes a community center, ball diamonds, and picnic facilities. The park is adjacent to Palms Elementary School.
San Martin Park
Jose San Martin was a soldier, statesman, and the national hero of Argentina and Chile. San Martin Park was dedicated in 1957.
John Stanford Todd Community Center
Mr. Todd is the “Father of the Lakewood Plan” which permitted Lakewood and scores of other communities throughout the nation to incorporate as cities. Mr. Todd has been Lakewood’s City Attorney since 1954.
Rynerson Park
This 55-acre park and equestrian center was dedicated in 1990, and was named after Jacqueline Rynerson. Jacqueline Rynerson was a city council member who was instrumental is obtaining the agreement with SCE for the park property and buying the Lakewood Equestrian Center.
Weingart Senior Center
Ben Weingart was one of the original developers of Lakewood. The Weingart Foundation assisted the city in building the Burns Community Center, the Weingart Senior Center, Palms Park Community Center, and the Centre at Sycamore.
