Lake Woollomes is a staple recreational park that families enjoy for fishing, barbecues, and picnics. However, the lake has seen better days and has been subjected to years of severe underfunding, leading community organizations to take the initiative in cleaning up and restoring the park themselves.
The lake is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation and leased by Kern County Parks. Its primary purpose is to serve as a reservoir for the Friant-Kern Canal, which supplies irrigation water to the surrounding agricultural fields. Because its main function is tied to irrigation infrastructure, recreational purposes often come second.
Despite these challenges, local organizations and residents have continued working to preserve the lake for the community. One such effort was led by Esau Torres, organizing manager for Pulsos Del Barrio, an organization dedicated to empowering and uplifting the next generation of young Latino leaders. Torres led a community cleanup and barbecue grill restoration project at the lake…