LH Press Library
Lake Highlands Group Sharing Area's 'Secret'
The Dallas Morning News, by Sarah Post
February 28, 2002
Evidence of community loyalty abounds on streets and storefronts in Lake Highlands, whether it's shining faces on high school team posters or prominently displayed Lake Highlands booster stickers.
Residents say that Lake Highlands, in northeastern Dallas, is a small town in the city. Its foundation is the schools, which are part of the Richardson Independent School District.
But,Lake Highlands residents say they share more than that. They share the beauty of trees, creeks and hills, diverse housing and easy access to White Rock Lake and its trails. Then there's the mobility of two major Dallas freeways and Dallas Area Rapid Transit light rail.
The Lake Highlands Area Improvement Association is working to bring together the area in another way. The group's goal is to call upon Lake Highlands' resources to develop and promote an image for the area.
"The one comment I hear over and over is that Lake Highlands is a well-kept secret and a treasure," said Terri Woods, who is leading communications for the new association.
The Lake Highlands association is a neighborhood alliance formed from homeowner's and crime watch associations within or adjacent to the Lake Highlands High School attendance boundaries.
The nonprofit organization represents 5,000 households through 11 charter member groups. It is trying to increase its membership, as well as establish relationships with other organizations and businesses.
Founders estimate that as many as 50 homeowner associations and crime watch groups exist in Lake Highlands.
"By nature, these [neighborhood associations] are managed by volunteers who have a heart for community service and don't just talk about making a difference, they work at it," Ms. Woods said. "Because of time constraints, they are kept busy with the activities of their own neighborhoods. They sometimes wonder what other groups are doing, but the lack of a communication link makes it difficult to know."
Larger vision
What if all these efforts could be pooled and a much larger voice created? That's the vision of the Lake Highlands Area Improvement Association, she said.
"Every community of interest needs an advocate," said Dallas City Council member Alan Walne, who represents the area. "I don't think we lack an image. There's just no one selling that image to the degree we'd like to be."
Ms. Woods and other founders said their resources will help people participate in local and state government, encouraging the enactment and enforcement of protective laws and ordinances.
The improvement association formed in early 2001, born of a small group of neighborhood people who banded together to fight a zoning proposal.
The group's meetings are at 7:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the Lake Highlands North Recreation Center, 9940 White Rock Trail. Anyone from the Lake Highlands community may attend. The association's new website is www.lhaia.org, and an e-mail newsletter and database are being established.
The association is conducting a survey to use in attracting retail development. And members are seeking information about activities and developments within the community from commercial and residential realtors, developers, property owners, leasing agents and residents.
The group envisions the development of a master plan for economic development, said Susan Morgan, the group's retail chairwoman.
"There's a lot of upscale need that's left unsatisfied," Ms. Morgan said.
The retail committee is one of the association's most active, but others are forming for parks and recreation, apartments and crime watch. The committees will work together closely, Ms. Woods said.
"Friends share our excitement about the vision for the association," she said. "Many say, 'Just tell me what you want me to do.' We all share a common interest in wanting to live and shop within Lake Highlands."
Missy Vanderbilt of RE/MAX Associates of Dallas says Lake Highlands is a stable area with lots of opportunities and success stories.
From scholarship donors to volunteer tutors, she said, "there's a lot of recognition that we're all in this together."
More than a store
Polly Rivera, manager of the Starbucks on Abrams Road at Royal Lane, said she has developed a close relationship with Lake Highlands residents since opening a year ago. Her store is home to PTA and business meetings, cheerleader groups and studying students. Mrs. Rivera has invited area band and choir members to perform for customers.
"We like to let people know this is their store," she said.
Mrs. Rivera said residents campaigned for a Starbucks for four years. She said the loyalty of her customers shows the support upscale retail can expect.
"This has been a great place to be," she said. "When [Lake Highlands residents] support something, it's an all-out effort."
Commercial developer Bob Breunig, who lives in Lake Highlands, recently reopened the defunct UA Theater at Skillman and LBJ Freeway as a Fox and Hound English Pub. He is eager to see improvements in other areas of Lake Highlands.
Mr. Breunig also owns two Lake Highlands apartment complexes and would like to see improvements in the developments. Apartments almost outnumber single-family homes in the area, he said.
Mr. Breunig said he has made changes in his apartments' operation in recent years. By working with Dallas police to send a message to criminals and by investing in paint and fences, he said, he has stabilized the communities and provided a positive experience for residents.
He said he would like to see more apartment residents involved in the association and in their neighborhoods.
"I'm grateful for the Lake Highlands Area Improvement Association," Mr. Breunig said. "It's that kind of coordination we need to get some of the same passion out of the apartments as we have out of the single-family homes. There is a clash between the socioeconomics of the two, and it's a great time for reconciliation."
Staff writer Sarah Post can be reached at 972-234-3198, ext. 124, and at spost@dallasnews.com.
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