History of Westlake Park
A BRIEF HISTORY OF WESTLAKE PARK
by
Ruth E. Strickland
The Park’s Phase I opened in February of 1972 according to a copy of the first edition (1972) of the “Westlaker”. Will and Connie Gray were the owners. Fresno Properties, Ltd., a partnership was owner later. There was a bridge over the lake, and Lindy and Fran Lindrose’s daughter was married on the bridge. The clubhouse was nearing completion when the first residents, Helen Seibert, Tom Riggs, and the Swiggets moved in. Rent was $75.00 per month including utilities. Phase I is numbered 1 through 212 with space 57 used for the bridge connecting it to Phase II with numbers 213 through 331, as Phase II was built later.
Leases were first offered in 1979. Later, in 1987, twenty-year long-term leases were offered with assignable leases to new residents and limited rent increases. The twenty-year leases expire in 2006.
Managers Bob and Althea Wheat resigned on May 15, 1976, and Gary and Jane Drewf became managers and lived in #157, Will Gray’s ex-office.
In 1977, Bill Wright requested that the residents form a Liaison Committee for an owner/resident relationship. In 1983 the Park was divided into three districts: District 1 – spaces 1-17 and 44-132; District 2 – 18-43 and 133-212; District 3 – 213-331. The Committee later folded..
The Park’s Television Channel 8 had Park announcements on it from 1986 to 1999.
Security Gate installations were started in May, 1985; the overseer was Marvin Olsen. Residents paid monthly for the gates.
The Wright Family Trust (Bill and Jenny Wright) bought all interests in the Park from Fresno Properties, Ltd., a partnership, in which Bill was a partner, in 1986 for $8.5 million.
The Recreation Committee separated from the GSMOL (Golden State Movibehome Owners League) and the name was changed to the Westlake Park Recreation Committee on 12-01-82, then on 03-02-83, the name was again changed to Westlake Park 331 Club. A Plaque listing the 331 Club Chairmen was voted for at the 331 Club meeting on 02-03-88. In 2000, the By-laws were changed to read President rather than Chairman.
Use of the clubhouse was refused to elect a Resident’s Committee referred to in the Fresno Rent Control Ordinance. Marge Hinkly’s son Paul was attorney for the residents in the dispute. The residents won, and the court instructed Bill Wright on August 8, 1989, to pay $11,000 to the resident’s attorney, Paul Hinkly, and $505.00 each to 25 residents in 21 spaces.
John and Marge Borne were the managers of the Park for fifteen years from 1979 to l994, with the help of Dick and Gwen Rhinehart from 1987 to 1989 and Gerry Milnes from 1990 to 1994.
A Western Dance Demonstration was given by Frank and Sonia Shanabruch in 1992. Frank works in the Park remodeling homes. Line dancing was taught by Sonia in 2003.
The aerobic classes lead by Lois Frisbie has met since 1980 on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. Water aerobic classes are also held in the morning.
Welcoming Committee with one to three members was approved on 03-14-90 to greet new residents.
In a letter dated June 21, 1991, Bill Wright gave the residents the first opportunity to buy the Park; otherwise, he planned to sell it to an outside investor by the end of 1991. A Park Conversion Process Committee (PCPC) was formed to investigate the feasibility of ownership. They worked extremely hard on the process for several years, but so did the opposition. Articles of Corporation, By-laws, CC&R’s (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions), and Non-profit status, were considered. The DRE (Department of Real Estate), City Council, PPA (Park Planning Association), and Rabe Engineering were consulted. However, the conversion to condominium did not happen because Bill Wright could not get a 2033, whereby he could pay taxes as each space sold. If the Corporation bought the Park, he would have to pay all the taxes on it in one year; therefore, he didn’t want to sell under those conditions.
Neighbor Hood Watch was headed by Security Officer Bob Wenning and crew in the 1990’s, but was discontinued in August of 1999.
Art and Craft Show (Boutiques) have been heldsince 1991. Yard sales are held on the street corner outside the Park.
Jo Redo donated a water fountain in 1973, and Christine Miller donated another one in 1992. The fountain is used to fill the lake as evaporation takes place.
The tubes were installed below the mailboxes in 1992; previously, flyers were put in the mailboxes. No solicitation is allowed in the Park, except in the tubes with permission.
GSMOL (Golden State Mobilehome Owners League) meetings were held until 2002 with various residents serving as presidents. It was very active during the 1980’s. They had programs and chaired dinners.
“331 Craft Club” functioned in the 1990’s. At each meeting a different member taught a project.
Co-editors Lindy Lindrose and Paul Handloss published “News and Views” newsletter in 1992 and 1994.
“The Pink Sheet”, (The Voice of the People, Westlake Park Homeowners) was also published from March 1990 to October 1996. Sally Redo founded it with assistance from Howard Davis.
Bessire & Casenhiser, a management company, was hired September, 1994, with Kathleen McFaul assigned to the Park, later Richard Elias, then Norma Johnson, then Clay Hage, and Norma Johnson in 2004 to the present time.
Betty and Dale Strange were Park managers from 1995 to 1997.
Parades are held on the 4th of July every year.
Bible Studies, bridge, bunco, donuts and coffee on Tuesday mornings, breakfasts, dinners, and many other functions too numerous to mention are held in the Park on a regular basis. Previously, some of the functions were: Flick Night Travelogues, Canasta, Poker, Ceramics, Wingo, Fashion Shows, Square Dances, Match play by pool buffs “The 8 Balls”, Ladies’ Lunches Out and In (husbands welcome), Needlecrafts, Music Makers (singing), Pink Elephant Trade and Sell Days, Yoga, Ladies Cookie Exchange, Needlework Club, Luaus, and Hobo Dinners.
Big Valley Mobile Homes (Sales/Listings) had an office in the foyer of the clubhouse in 1999 to help fill up the empty spaces in the Park. The office was discontinued in 2004 when the Park was full and sold to Millennium Housing, a non-profit company.
Managers from 1997 to 2003 were Mary and Frank Ferreira. Wanda Nofziger was assistant manager and editor of the “Westlaker” in 1997. Pat Hopkins was editor from 1998 to 2000 and Barbara Compbell from 2000 to 2002, Helen Huard in 2002, Rose Pacheco in 2002; and Ruth Strickland 2003 to 2005.
Manager and Assistant Manager in 2003 were Frank Shanabruch and Vern Porter. Bob and Jo Ann Ingouf were managers hired by Bessire & Casenhiser in 2004.
Corene Thom wrote “The Gazebo” from 1997 to June of 2000.
Media One Television installed cable television in the Park in 1998.
Computer classes were taught in the clubhouse by Fresno Adult School in 1998.
Ruth Strickland headed “Craft Group” meetings in 1998. Later, the “This and That Craft Club” with Helen Huard as chairman was started in 2001. Joanna Carr was chairman in 2002, Berdine Bishop in 2003, Joanna again in 2004, and Alma Lange in 2005.
A putting green was constructed in 2002 and was paid for by Bill Wright and the 331 Club.
Millennium Housing, the new owner, took possession on May 22, 2003. George Turk, president of Millennium, met with residents on several occasions and asked that Westlake Resident Advisory Council be formed to meet with him periodically. An election was held and seven members were elected to the Council: Elmer Carr, Ron Clark, John Gossett, Ruth Strickland, Jack Szurgot and Judy Wyrick. In 2004, Presidents Jan Auston and Richard Francis. In 2005, Ed Hall, Lin Dellanina, and Russ Herndon were elected.
The Crime Communication Coalition (CCC) was created the last of 2005. Sharon Williams was the Crime Intake Coordinator (CIC). The Park was divided into three areas. Area A - Joyce Williams, Area B - Ruth Strickland, and Area C - Carrie Hanson. Each area has Section Coordinators (SC’s).
Suspicious activity and crimes are reported up the ladder for the CCC monthly report.
In 2005, Lin Dellanina resigned from the Advisory Council and alternate Barry Gleeson took her place. Al Pepper headed up the committee to form the Advisory Council requested by George Turk. Al has also been in charge of the Council’s election
Jan Auston started the “Chick Flicks” (Ladies’ Night Out).
New Editors Jim and Glenda Ewers took over the Westlaker.
Sundowners weatherized resident’s houses and gave them energy efficient refrigerators.
Park-wide meetings with George Turk and Norma Johnson are held periodically.
Police Officer Linda Sigler has met with the Council regarding safety. Our North West Police Station is located at Hughes and Dakota. Captain Andy Hall was the guest speaker at the Crime Communication Coalition (CCC) dinner.
The Park had power outages in 2006. A new electrical panel was installed at a cost of $85,000. A spare transformer and equipment were purchased for just in case.
At the request of the CCC, a security patrol was hired by Millennium Housing to patrol the Park.
A “Red Hat Society” was formed by Sharon Randolph.
A “Dress Crazy Halloween Party” was held with George Remily winning first place as an angel. He touched residents with his wand, thus, they were “touched by an angel”. Bud Pallas won second as a lady in distress. Ruth Strickland won third as “Lady Godiva” on a white horse.
Each year at Christmas residents are taken in a horse-drawn carriage to view the decorated houses. In the past, the houses have been judged by Walgreen’s Manager Randy Robison and family.
Millennium has made many improvements in the Park - fences and gates on the Victoria Ditch and the Herndon Canal, tables and chairs in the card rooms, new carpet, library furnishings, new heating and air conditioners in the club house, pool showers replaced, new kitchen stove top and sink, enclosed cabana for storage, green belt improvements, handicap door, windows in doors, and on and on and on.
Elmer Carr assists the manager on weekends.
When Bob Ingouf passed away, Ken and Jayne Crum were hired as managers in August, 2007.
Ken and Jayne Crum left Westlake Park In October of 2014. It was time to move on. We made, and have some really good friends at Westlake Park.
Good luck to the next Mangares who come aboard.
