One of southern OrangeCounty’s mostdistinctive cities, LakeForest combines recreational lakes and the remnants of apioneer pastinto a small modern metropolis wherequality of life is the overriding theme.
Living up to its name, Lake Forest revolves around two man made lakes and a eucalyptus forest. Surrounded by upscale condos and single-family homes, the twin ponds form the heart of what was originally conceived as an upscale recreation community. But Lake Forest has come a long way since the late 1960s when its lakeside town was created.
These days the community’s mostprominent architectural statement is the sprawling campus of Saddleback Church. Hub of the complexisthe massive 3,500-seat Worship Center,one of the nation’slargestchurches,erected in 1995.
Elsewhere on the 100-acre grounds is The Refinery, a youth ministry complex that includes classrooms, theater, gymnasium, game rooms, dining hall and industrial-sized kitchen.
Much of the structurewas made with recycled steel, concrete, wood and particle board. The LEED Gold certified building also features green roof coveredin low-water plants and asuper-efficient irrigation system. The city’s latestarchitectural coup is the brand newLakeForestSports Park. Created by the RJMDesign Group of San Juan Capistrano,the eco-friendlyfacility flaunts various fields and courts,community center and outdoor stage.
THE LAKESIDE TOWN’S LATEST DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDE EXPANSIONS TO THE SADDLEBACK CHURCH’S CAMPUS AND AN ECO-FRIENDLYSPORTS PARK.
