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A park open to the public just over a stone’s throw from downtown Longview, with a 10 acre lake and 1.5 miles (1.5 miles) loop trail. Lakefront businesses such as restaurants, water sports rentals, and an event venue. This is the dream of Hudson Johnson and his group of investors who say they are ready to make it happen.
The multi-million dollar project would make Lake Lomond the centerpiece of efforts to revitalize 92 acres of land between US 80 and West Cotton Streets.
“I see this as an incredible opportunity to bring nature to the back door of the city,” said Johnson, president of the group that bought the land from Gene McWorter.
McWhorter’s great-grandfather Robert Echols and son Hugh Echols, along with Frank T. Rembert, were the original investors who built Lake Lomond. Lake Lomond is named after Loch Lomond, a freshwater lake in Scotland that Rembert and his wife Kate Rembert visited while on a trip.
(The road that runs along the lake was misspelled as “Lake Lamond Road” when it was built by Gregg County Commissioners in the 1940s, and it got stuck.)
“We want to contribute to a healthier, greener lifestyle,” said Johnson. “And we think of this as the kind of project that gets people to switch to Longview.”
Scott Caron, director of Longview’s Parks and Recreation Department, said the city could work with developers at some point to expand the system of pathways through the Lake Lomond property, but the city would not be responsible for the cost.
Caron also said the city will incur no further costs from the development.
“Right now there is really nothing on the part of the city on the financial side of things,” he said, other than that the city has sewage and drainage structures running through the property that it would maintain, which is normal.
The project does not require city council approval, Caron added.
“Not at this point,” he said. “Basically, it’s just private property that someone is interested in developing.”
Caron added that working with Johnson and his team was “fantastic”.
“They are a bunch of good people who feel that we have wonderful capital in our church and we are very happy that they were able to acquire it,” he said.
Johnson named the Greenbelt in Austin and the Katy Trail in Dallas as inspiration for the planned park.
“We believe that the city’s work to improve bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure to connect downtown with the surrounding areas can only benefit from beautiful interactive spaces along these pedestrian and cycle paths,” said Johnson. “We hope to promote a more connected city through multimodal transportation, as you see with the route system through Dallas and Austin.
“An active city is a healthy city, and the more outdoor activities and amenities the city can offer, the healthier and happier the community.”
McWhorter made a move in 2018 to conditionally donate the land to the City of Longview, but an agreement could not be reached. Johnson believes this project will succeed where the previous idea failed.
“We’re already working hand in hand with the city because we want to work well with them, leverage their extensive knowledge, and get as much help and guidance as possible,” said Johnson. “However, we want to be able to work on a faster schedule. As a smaller organization, we are a bit more nimble when it comes to steering this park in the desired direction. “
While this is a different direction from McWhorter’s original idea, it’s one the city believes in.
“We support access to open-air parks, lakes and ponds, be it in the public or private sector. The more our residents can go out and explore and enjoy our surroundings, the better, ”said Caron.
Johnson’s vision calls for the work to be done in phases.
Phase 1 would include the basic infrastructure such as signage, parking, path design and completion and maintenance, bridges and toilets. Johnson estimates this could take up to a year.
Subsequent phases could include joining the city paths, upgrading the dam / overflow system, adding a boardwalk and additional potential amenities such as a learning center / park center, extending walking trails, elevated boardwalks, and other similar elements.
Johnson’s plan is one that Caron believes will bear fruit.
“I really think their vision is community-centered and I expect it will be realized,” he said.
– Contributor Jo Lee Ferguson contributed to this report.
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