The California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (California JPIA) recognizes the City of Lakewood, which celebrated its 70th Anniversary in April. The city was incorporated on April 16, 1954, but the groundwork for establishing it was laid years before. In February 1950, the Lakewood Park Corp. commenced construction on 3,385 acres of farmland situated in unincorporated Los Angeles County, just north of Long Beach. This transformation would become America’s largest planned community at the time. Called the “$250-Million Planned Community,” the development incorporated schools, parks, places of worship, 16 small shopping centers, and the expansive Lakewood Center mall. Additionally, it prioritized safety with parkway panels and service roads separating residential areas from main roads.