Lakes of Parkway
absolutely! Memorial
Neighborhood Soliloquy
Lakes of Parkways, the Women who make the Neighborhood, and the man who has helped shape
By
Traveling west of
This elegant neighborhood is still developing and will probably be completed in the next few years. One can only imagine how striking this neighborhood as the landscaping and trees begin to match the grandeur of the architecture. Homeowner, Vince Rachal talks about his wonderful drive home each evening, “I just love coming through the gate and seeing the lakes and the well maintained community.”
However, for the residents of this neighborhood, the most important thing about Lakes of Parkway is sense of community. This special community is overseen by the Women’s Club and the Community Group
The Women of the Lakes of Parkway
The Women’s Club in this neighborhood is so strong that every contributing resource to this article talked about the club and their impact on the community. This group has overseen the development of a top flight community website, lakesofparkway.org. In addition the Women’s Club along with the Lakes of Parkway Community Group, plans and organized most neighborhood activities. From Wine Tasting parties, to Ladies Night Out, to Halloween Carnivals, to Pictures with Santa, to Summer Triathlons for the Kids every season is highlighted with an event to pull the community together.
The role of the Women’s Club goes well beyond socialization, this group also helps coordinate the neighborhoods fundraising activities. Each year the community designates a charity and organizes the whole neighborhood behind the effort. The Women’s Club organized a stocking stuffing event for Child Advocates Inc. Child Advocates Inc. Trains men and women to become court appointed advocates volunteers for severe child abuse cases. The group also collects items for the
According to Joyce Rachal, “This group is dedicated. They keep the children entertained and the neighborhood going.” According to Ms. Rachal the Lakes of Parkway is very lucky to have such a strong Women’s Club and Community Group.
Making an affluent neighborhood have a small town feel and a true sense community is no small task. However, this group seems more than up for the task. The Women’s Club may oversee the community as it grows; however, there was a very interesting man behind the development of the community.
The Man who has influenced
Mr. Kickerillo has a diverse past. He took his first job at age 13, joined the merchant marines at 16 and traveled the world for the next dozen years. Upon his return to Houston Mr. Kickerillo began building homes. Although he has owned a record label, financial institutions and has build literarily hundreds of upscale homes, shopping centers and apartment complexes, Mr. Kickerillo is probably best known as a developer of dozens of Master planned communities, including Lakes of Parkway.
A developer is not just in charge of building homes, but also building the amenities of the neighborhood (pools, lakes, walls, and clubhouses), coordinating services with many government agencies, promoting the neighborhood and portioning lots for homes. Some developers also build the homes while others arrange for other builders to complete the process. Some developers also build the homes within the community while others have a few different builders complete the homes. Mr. Kickerillo prefers to have his company complete take the process from ground breaking to the home completion.
Mr. Kickerillo has defiantly been one of the driving forces behind the look of
Vincent Kickerillo, his wife Mary and daughter Kelli have supported dozens of local charities. His vision for a community is often driven by his giving nature. The newest project for the Kickerillo Companies, The Vintage (off of 290 249 and Louetta) is an example. When the Kickerillo Companies, along with partner Mischer Investments, bought this piece of land from the previous owners they met with community groups and environmental experts to make sure the wooded ambiance the land would be protected as the community is developed. Over 75 acres of woods will remain virtually untouched. Mr. Kickerillo believes “community development can only be learned by trail and error, keen observation, and lots of time.”
So as Memorial,
