Hurt or help? Residents to decide about sign

By Shari Goldstein Stern

Northeast Dallas has a lot to brag about. Neighboring the majestic but home-grown White Rock Lake are homey areas filled with warm neighbors and countless tall, mature trees. One of those neighborhoods is Lochwood, and neighbors are abuzz with whispers of change in the air. 

A two-part beautification project is under consideration by Lochwood neighbors, at least one of whom disagrees about it, as quoted in this article. The project would include work on the Dixon Creek bridge and neighborhood entrance signage at Fernald Ave. and E. Lake Highlands Dr.

Residents are making their thoughts known to the City of Dallas, Parks and Recreation Department, with the Lochwood Neighborhood Association (LNA) as its communications conduit.

Some residents of several decades, along with newer families to the area, have strong opinions about their neighborhood and its future. One long-term resident of Lochwood, Don Robinson told White Rock Lake Weekly that he opposes the plan LNA introduced. He said, “[LNA] is putting forward a plan to place a large, intrusive sign and certain bridge ornamentations at the Fernald crossing of the [Dixon] creek.” Robinson continued, “Some of us in the neighborhood don’t want to destroy the pleasing looks and natural atmosphere of this area. This is what attracted us here in the past. What a crime to put such a blight in the tranquil area.”

According to Robinson, “The Lochwood Annual,” mailed to residents of this area, detailed in full 4-color pages how the signage and bridge would look, and asked neighbors to make a choice. ‘NO’ was not an option.”

He added: “Why do we need this? We don’t. It’s a move to assist real estate companies in their quest for new listings and sales and commissions.” Robinson continued, “We moved here over 60 years ago because of the creeks, trees and tranquility of the neighborhood and certainly don’t need to junk-up the area with commercial signage.”

The LNA, according to its board of directors, is a 100 percent volunteer membership group keeping an eye on preserving the beauty and charm of the neighborhood while fostering a sense of community though sponsoring several volunteer programs and initiatives through committees’ work. Some of those are crime prevention, Service Neighborhood Assistance Program (SNAP), Expanded Neighborhood Patrol (ENP) and Clean The Green, a neighborhood cleanup group, which meets throughout the year to clean trash from the greenbelts and parks.

LNA Vice-President John Jones explained: “This is not a done deal. LNA is just putting information out there for an informal poll from residents. LNA doesn’t support or oppose as a body. We want feedback and opinions like Mr. Robinson’s.”

Most of what LNA, does like a 5k Fun Run, is supported by LNA and promoted by LNA, but not initiated, funded or organized by the association. In the case of the bridge or monument, LNA’s website created opinion polls to clarify and offer a forum for community dialogue. 

Jones added that LNA’s president, Scott Robson, has put in countless volunteer hours working with Dallas Parks and Recreation to get the input and temperature reading of Lochwood residents. The community will make the decisions.

Robson and his family have called Lochwood their home for 28 years. “We got to Lochwood as fast as we could,” he quipped. “What appealed to us was the greenspace — woods, trees and a unique community where people look out for and support each other.”

The idea of the bridge beautification came from one of the neighbors. LNA asked the neighborhood if there is an interest and opened a discussion to express their opinions. If you live in Lochwood but haven’t seen the current issue of the Annual, find it online at Lochwood.com.

Thomas Buck, LNA president and his wife, have lived in Lochwood for almost 10 years, and in Old Lake Highlands for 10 years before that. 

They support all the area public schools including M.T. Reilly Elementary, Hill Middle School, and Bryan Adams High School. They have mentored and provided many volunteer services to each, including work for the PTA. 

With a sincere sense of neighborhood, Buck said: “Creating monument signage is a topic that has been discussed even before we moved into the neighborhood. Having a landmark that represents and identifies our neighborhood is important. It helps better communicate to people living in East Dallas and folks thinking about moving into the area who we are and where we live.” He continued: “We believe we can accomplish this in a respectful, tasteful and non-obtrusive way, that works with the pleasant, natural surroundings Lochwood has. Many area East Dallas neighborhoods and public parks have some sort of portal signage that easily identifies the place. Why not Lochwood?”

The hard copy annual newsletter was mailed to more than 1800 homes. Residents are also asked via social media to voice their opinion. LNA accommodates non-computer families with an opportunity to mail in their responses. 

“Some residents think Lochwood is still a secret in the real estate market and do not want to promote our neighborhood in any way, fearing higher home prices and property taxes. Our response to that is: Lochwood is very well known by realtors, and with the residential housing inventory being so low, our neighborhood is a prime opportunity for home buyers,” Buck added.

For more details, visit Lochwood.com.

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