10/25/2026
Good morning everyone! I hope everyone enjoyed a beautiful last weekend here at Lakewood. Water will be turned off first thing in the morning. Thank you for another great year!
For some reason this year I have been asked many times if I had any plans to sell the park or turn it into houses. Maybe I was asked this so many times because of the mobile home park at four corners that shut down and is being turned into condos. Let me be clear, absolutely NOT!
Let me explain….
I love what I do! Ever since I was a kid all I can remember is wanting to do what Dad does. I love working outside, I love operating equipment, I love interacting with all of you, I love living in the house my grandpa built, and I love the flexibility that Lakewood offers. That flexibility allows me to have lunch with my kids, quit work early for my kids activities, help out a friend who needs a hand, and it allows me the flexibility to chase my other passion… farming. What price could you put on that?
Now, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows… sewer problems at 7:30pm on 4th of July weekend isn’t fun, customers that don’t get along with their neighbors isn’t fun (this is few and far between), my phone ringing constantly isn’t fun. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
I’m am contacted at least once a week by some corporation or investment firm who wants to buy the park. 95% of the calls I ignore but sometimes they trick me by using a 419 number (which most of you all have) and I’ll talk to a live person. This guy asked if I would entertain an offer, I said no, he asked why, and I told him everything I just told you. He then said “if you like the work you do, just take the money and start something else that you like doing”. Ha, that’s like asking someone to sell their childhood home for a new house, or your dad’s classic car for another one, or your grandmas wedding ring for another one. I don’t want to do something else, I want to continue to do this! This has sentimental value.
That being said, I’m not selling the park anytime soon. I would love to be able to pass it on and sell it to my kids! They would be the 4th generation. My love for this place and the possibility of having my kids take over makes the park priceless! Literally, there is no amount of money that would change my mind. At this point money means absolutely nothing.
Now, if both of my kids are in their 30s and they both have no interest in taking over the family business then, and only then will I be looking at another buyer. But they are 4 & 7 so we have a long long time.
Thanks for reading through my rambling. Thank you all for a great year and allowing me to do what I love! Have a great winter and I’ll see you next year! And the next, and the next, and the next!
