Steve Bloom/The Olympian
The nature trail just below Tom Oliva's Barnes Lake condominium gives residents a chance to enjoy the scenery and wildlife, which is what the 110 property owners want to retain.

Residents treasure scenic lake

RUTH LONGORIA THE OLYMPIAN

TUMWATER -- The oasis of this lakeside neighborhood is a well-hidden secret in South Sound.

The popularity of nearby Black Lake seems to obscure Barnes Lake's more subtle charms, a fact that doesn't upset some homeowners.

"A view like this would be a million dollar view in Seattle, but for now it's our secret," said Tom Oliva, as he gazed out at the lake from the window of his three-level, 2,400-square-foot town-house style condominium.

Oliva, 42, is president of the Barnes Lake Park Condominium Owners Association and organizer of the Friends of Barnes Lake, a newly formed neighborhood association.

Oliva moved to Tumwater from Missouri six years ago, and purchased his home about two years ago.

He works for the Washington State Parks Department as an enterprise coordinator, generating revenue for visitor services.

Because he loves the beauty of the lakeside community, Oliva has an interest in preserving that beauty for himself and for future generations, he said.

"This area is growing so quickly and as the area develops all around us, it's important that the homeowners work together to preserve the lake," Oliva said.

In September, Oliva began a crusade to enlist the support of his neighbors, calling and inviting them to a public meeting for the Friends of Barnes Lake at the Tumwater United Methodist Church.

"Almost everybody I called was enthused about the idea and 40 people showed up for the two-hour meeting," he said.

At the meeting, residents discussed options for management of the 30-acre lake.

They also listened to informational talks from representatives from the city of Tumwater, Thurston County and the Department of Ecology.

Oliva hopes recent talks will serve as a rallying point and lead residents to opt to tax themselves a few dollars per month to pay for a lake management team that would keep the lake from suffering long-term effects of neglect.

As a private citizen, Chuck Denney, Tumwater's Parks and Recreation director, is excited to work with Oliva and other residents of the Barnes Lake neighborhood to preserve the lake.

Denney, 37, said he and wife, Kelli, purchased a new home on the lake three years ago because it was a nice place to live within the Tumwater city limits.

Now the couple has a 13-month-old daughter.

"I like the lake because it's not like a lake where you see water-skiing and jet skis," he said. "It's a beautiful natural lake with ducks, birds, raccoons and other wildlife."

Organizing Friends of Barnes Lake has brought people together as a neighborhood, Denney said.

Denney hopes the residents will be able to work together to solve some lake problems, such as reducing the two varieties of nonnative lily pads that fill the lake in summertime.

"It's going to take some time to solve all of the problems," Denney said. "But it's nice that so many people are willing to work together."

Ruth Longoria covers Tumwater for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-5435 or by e-mail at rlongori@olympia.gannett.com.

Does your neighborhood have a story for Our Neighborhoods? If you have a special event, are tackling a tough issue or are planning a project, let us know. Call or e-mail Communities Editor Jerre Redecker at 360-754-5422 or jredecke@olympia.gannett.com. Our Neighborhoods runs Thursdays in Communities. Next week: Hampton Ridge in Lacey.

Tumwater neighbors join forces to preserve lake's natural charm

Barnes Lake neighborhood

- Membership: 110 property owners, including a 66-unit condominium complex, private homes and an elementary school.

- Boundaries: North of Trosper Road between Second Avenue and Lake Park Drive.

- Who lives there: A mix of retirees, families and singles. Single-family homes cost $100,000 to $200,000 and town-house style condominiums cost $75,000 to $150,000.

- Nearest schools: Michael T. Simmons Elementary School and Tumwater Middle School.

For more Communities stories go to the Communities section.

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