Reception Marks Two Decades of Lake Forest Cityhood

Twenty years ago, Helen Wilson and Kathy Zechmeister were among those witnessing the birth of the independent city of Lake Forest at an inaugural event at .

Since then, the city has expanded to house a population of approximately 76,000, and encompasses what was once El Toro and the areas of Portola Hills and Foothill Ranch.

It's growth hasn’t disappointed its architects, many of whom put down roots in the fledging city and have lent their assistance to coax it through its adolescent years following incorporation.

"[In 1991], we envisioned the city as it is now," said Wilson, who served as Lake Forest's first mayor, at a Tuesday evening reception marking its two-decade anniversary. “[Lake Forest has] surpassed our expectations." 

At the reception, she and Zechmeister were among many reminiscing about the campaign, which began in 1990, to get voters on board with the idea of a new Orange County city in the El Toro area.

An article published in the Los Angeles Times in January 1990 reports that a group of El Toro and Lake Forest residents that month started a "10-month campaign to form what they hope will be Orange County's 30th city."

Wilson served as president of the group, titled the Community Coalition for Incorporation, which canvassed the areas in question in a bid for votes in favor of cityhood.

Incorporation on Dec. 20, 1991 drew elected officials from throughout Orange County, Wilson recalls, though the coalition's initial plan to become the county's 30th city was preempted by Laguna Hills, which scheduled its incorporation ceremony two hours prior to the noon event in Lake Forest.

Since then, fiscal conservatism has allowed the city to complete major projects, from the revitalization of the El Toro Road corridor to renovations of the city’s many parks, while keeping its budget under control, Mayor Peter Herzog said Tuesday at the reception.

"Although there's great uncertainty out there, this city is certain. This city is stable," Herzog said. "Our budget's been balanced [and] we have three reserves—three—and they're all full. Not many cities can say that."

He also noted that the city will soon break ground on its future sports park, and that plans for a civic center are well underway.

"While we've had a marvelous 20 years, and I think everybody should be so proud, the future is so bright for this city," he said "This city is poised to move forward ... to maintain that vision of being the place to live, work and play."

A year of celebratory events is planned to mark the anniversary. In addition to the reception, the first of the upcoming anniversary events, the City Council also marked the milestone by selecting a city tree: the live oak, which is native to the area as well as currently under consideration as a centerpiece to the city's future civic center.