Lakewood Forest subdivision stable in growing Cy-Fair

The way residents see it, Lakewood Forest is not just a neighborhood; it's a lifestyle.

Built between the 1970s and 1990s, this quiet subdivision is still known for its large trees, custom homes and good schools as northwest Houston has grown up around it, bringing more restaurants, shopping centers and theaters.

"It's like a town to itself," said Julie Prunty, who moved to Lakewood Forest 24 years ago.

Prunty is an active volunteer at the member-owned Lakewood Residents' Club in the subdivision. The club is home to the Lakewood Lightning swim team, tennis leagues for all ages and a variety of social and community events, such as the recent Market Day Craft Sale, a fundraiser for the community's ladies club. The 50-meter Olympic-size pool and clubhouse are adjacent to a scenic lake.

"We like to say the clubhouse is where the community comes together," Prunty said.

Members are preparing to celebrate the club's purchase from one of the subdivision's developers 20 years ago this August, she added.

"I love that our children have a clubhouse to call their play area," said Lilly Sweeney, a Lakewood Forest resident for nine years. "I love that our kids can go fishing, play tennis, swim and get to know the neighbors in a safe environment."

Adults get to do the same, only better, added Tim Moore, president of the club's board.

Moore moved to Lakewood Forest to be near his job at Hewlett-Packard Development Co., but says the community's seclusion, the trees, his neighbors and the schools are what he likes best.

The subdivision crosses the boundary between the Cy-Fair and Tomball school districts. It's old enough now that a few newcomers grew up there or nearby.

"Both my husband and I went to school at Cy-Fair High, and we wanted our children to get the same opportunities in education and extracurricular activities and sports we received," said Jackie Wallace, a 14-year resident who now manages the club.

Connie Inmon, a Realtor who has lived in the neighborhood 24 years, said Lakewood Forest continues to attract families because of its stability and local schools. Longtime residents are investing in upgrades, and the recession has helped make some of the neighborhood's custom-built homes more affordable.

"It's a beautiful neighborhood, with big trees and wide streets, and it's very walkable," she said.

The two-mile Faulkey Gully trail, which joins Lakewood Forest with the Hunterwood subdivision, is expected to become part of a larger network of bayou trails in the region, Inmon said.

"I walk it all the time with my dog. People ride their bikes and jog. It's really beautiful and great to have it so close," she said.

Inmon and her neighbors are zoned to exemplary Moore Elementary School, a feeder school for Hamilton Middle School and Cy-Creek High School in the Cy-Fair school district. Other sections of the neighborhood, which has around 2,600 homes, including some patio homes, are zoned to Hamilton Elementary School, also in CFISD, and a portion along North Eldridge near Texas 249 is zoned to Lakewood Elementary School, Northpointe Intermediate School, Willow Wood Junior High School, all in the Tomball school district, and the new Tomball Memorial High School, which opens in August.