Our first year…
Friends of Lodi Lake - 2025 Annual Report
Friends of Lodi Lake
2025 Annual Report
Conserving, Enhancing, and Celebrating Lodi Lake, the Mokelumne River, and the Nature Area
Friends of Lodi Lake was reformed in 2025 by community members dedicated to continuing a legacy of stewardship that began in 1986. In our founding year, we launched the Estella Smith Tours, created the Nature Area Garden, hosted the Ramble Through the Bramble, and introduced our Second Saturday at the Lake family event series — all while building partnerships with the City of Lodi, the Lodi Public Library, the Lodi Boathouse, and other community organizations.
A Message to Our Community
Dear Friends of Lodi Lake,
As we close out 2025, we are proud to share the story of a year that marked both a new beginning and a continuation of a legacy nearly four decades in the making. After the original Friends of Lodi Lake organization wound down since 2005, a group of dedicated community members came together to reform the organization with a clear mission: to conserve and enhance Lodi Lake, the Mokelumne River, and the Nature Area through engaging educational and stewardship programs.
This inaugural annual report celebrates our founding year — the partnerships we’ve built, the programs we’ve launched, and the community we’re growing. From the launch of Estella Smith Tours honoring the woman who helped make Lodi Lake possible, to the creation of the Nature Area Garden, to our Second Saturday family events, 2025 has been a year of planting seeds — both literally and figuratively.
We are grateful to the City of Lodi Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Department, the Lodi Public Library, the Lodi Boathouse, the Sandhill Crane Association, Tree Lodi, and every volunteer and community member who has joined us on this journey. Together, we are ensuring that this natural treasure remains vibrant for generations to come.
With gratitude and optimism,
The Friends of Lodi Lake
Our Story: Carrying Forward a Legacy
The History of Lodi Lake
The story of Lodi Lake begins in 1875, when Charles Edward Smith gazed out over the undeveloped lowland along the Mokelumne River. His daughter, Estella Smith, named the broad body of water “Smith’s Lake” and grew up playing beside her beloved lake, rimmed with mammoth oak trees. She graduated from San Joaquin Valley College in Woodbridge in 1893 and, after her father’s death in 1902, took over management of the family’s vineyard.
In 1910, the construction of the Woodbridge Dam caused the Mokelumne River to spread into the lowland, making Smith’s Lake larger. Louis T. Mason later acquired 45 acres of what is now a major part of Lodi Lake Park. On June 10, 1934, Mason generously offered to sell the lake to the City of Lodi, and Lodi Lake Municipal Park was officially dedicated. In 1937, Estella Smith sold her remaining land on the southwest side of the lake to the city, completing the assemblage of what would become Lodi’s crown jewel.
Today, the beautiful lake and wilderness area that Estella Smith and Louis T. Mason made possible contains no formal reminder of their contributions — a legacy Friends of Lodi Lake is working to honor.
Key Moments in Lodi Lake’s History
Charles Edward Smith arrives at the undeveloped lowland along the Mokelumne River; his daughter Estella names it “Smith’s Lake”
Woodbridge Dam construction expands the lake; Estella sells some land, Louis T. Mason acquires 45 acres
City of Lodi purchases and dedicates Lodi Lake Municipal Park on June 10
Estella Smith sells her remaining lakeside land to the City of Lodi
Lodi Lake Docent Program formally established — organized volunteer-led nature education begins
Friends of Lodi Lake active with members like Donna Phillips, Jay Bell & Julie Wahl; thousands of students and visitors served
Friends of Lodi Lake reformed — new website, social media, programs, and partnerships launched
The Original Friends of Lodi Lake
In 1986, the Lodi Lake Docent Program was formally established, marking the beginning of organized volunteer-led interpretive and educational activities in the Nature Area. This program eventually evolved into Friends of Lodi Lake, a volunteer-based organization dedicated to preserving, maintaining, and enhancing the natural and recreational resources of Lodi Lake Park and its Nature Trail.
For decades, the organization provided guided boat tours, interpretive nature walks, and volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. Members like Donna Phillips (1995–2005), founding docents Jay Bell and Kathy Grant, and many others educated thousands of visitors about the ecological significance of the Mokelumne River and its surrounding habitat. The group partnered with the City of Lodi to support Arbor Day events, river cleanups, and environmental awareness programs.
Starting in 2005, the organization gradually ramped down its activities and members moved on. But the need for community stewardship of Lodi Lake never went away.
Reformation in 2025
In 2025, Friends of Lodi Lake was reformed by a new group of community members committed to carrying on the mission and traditions of the original organization. We launched our website (friendsoflodilake.org), established social media presence on Instagram and Facebook, and began building partnerships with the City of Lodi, local nonprofits, and businesses that share our love for the lake.
Our Mission
To collaborate with Lodi community members, city resources, nonprofits, and businesses to conserve and enhance our lake, river, and nature area through engaging educational and stewardship programs.
Estella Smith Tours
One of our proudest achievements in 2025 was the creation of the Estella Smith Tours, a new program honoring the woman whose family helped make Lodi Lake possible. Though Estella Smith’s name has largely faded from public memory, her connection to the lake is foundational — she named Smith’s Lake, grew up along its shores, and sold her remaining land to the City of Lodi in 1937 so that all could enjoy it.
The Estella Smith Tours are guided interpretive walks along the Nature Trail and through the 58-acre Nature Area, led by trained volunteer docents. Each tour weaves together the natural history of the Mokelumne River riparian ecosystem with the human history of the families who shaped this landscape. Visitors learn about the oak woodlands, native plants and wildlife, seasonal bird migrations, and the story of how a private lake became Lodi’s most treasured public park.
The tours are offered free of charge (Lodi Lake parking fees apply) and are designed for visitors of all ages. School groups, families, seniors, and scout troops have all participated during our inaugural season. We are actively recruiting and training new volunteer docents to expand tour availability in 2026.
2025 Estella Smith Tours at a Glance
Free guided Nature Trail walks • Volunteer docent-led • All ages welcome • School groups & families served • Natural history + human history combined • Named in honor of Estella Smith, who made Lodi Lake possible
Nature Area Garden
In 2025, Friends of Lodi Lake initiated the Nature Area Garden project, a new native plant demonstration garden within the Lodi Lake Nature Area. The garden serves as both a living classroom and a habitat enhancement, showcasing the native plant species of the Central Valley riparian ecosystem that visitors encounter along the Nature Trail.
Working in partnership with the City of Lodi Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Department and local volunteers, the garden features native species such as valley oaks, California buckeye, elderberry, native bunch grasses, lupines, and California poppies. Interpretive signage helps visitors identify each species and understand its role in the local ecosystem — from providing food and shelter for wildlife to supporting pollinators and stabilizing riverbank soils.
The Nature Area Garden also serves as a hands-on stewardship site where volunteers can participate in planting days, invasive species removal, and habitat restoration. We envision the garden growing alongside our organization, eventually becoming a centerpiece of our educational programming and a model for native landscaping in the Lodi community.
Second Saturday Events
In November 2025, Friends of Lodi Lake launched our Second Saturday at the Lake series — free, family-friendly events held on the second Saturday of each month at the Kiwanis Shelter area near the Lodi Lake Park entrance. No advance registration is required (Lodi Lake parking fees apply).
Our inaugural Second Saturday event on November 8, 2025, was held in partnership with the Lodi Public Library. Library Director Jenni Fontanilla hosted a story time and crafts session celebrating the park’s lively water birds and exploring why they flock together at Lodi Lake. The event drew families from across the community and was covered by the Lodi News-Sentinel.
The December 13, 2025 Second Saturday continued the series with a nature walk and seasonal activities. The Second Saturday program is designed to rotate themes and community partners, ensuring fresh and engaging programming throughout the year. Planned 2026 themes include wildflower identification, river ecology, bird watching, and Mokelumne River history.
Second Saturday Details
When: Second Saturday of every month, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Where: Kiwanis Shelter, Lodi Lake Park, 1101 W. Turner Road, Lodi CA
Cost: Free (Lodi Lake parking fees apply)
Registration: No advance registration needed
Ramble Through the Bramble
Friends of Lodi Lake hosted “Ramble Through the Bramble,” a special guided exploration event highlighting the wilder, less-traveled areas of the Lodi Lake Wilderness Area. The event invited participants to venture beyond the paved Nature Trail loop into the 3.2 miles of interconnected trails that meander through riparian habitat along the Mokelumne River.
Led by experienced guides: Jay Bell and Julie Wahl, participants discovered hidden stretches of old-growth riparian forest, observed seasonal wildlife, and learned about the ecological importance of maintaining undisturbed habitat corridors. The Ramble Through the Bramble was featured in the Lodi News-Sentinel and has become a signature event we plan to continue annually.
Lodi Lake by the Numbers
Lodi Lake Park — Area Breakdown (Acres)
Partnerships & Community Connections
Friends of Lodi Lake’s success in 2025 is built on collaboration. We are grateful to the following partners who have supported our mission:
| Partner | Collaboration |
|---|---|
| City of Lodi PRCS | Park access, event coordination, docent program support, and Nature Area Garden site partnership |
| Lodi Public Library | Co-hosted inaugural Second Saturday event; story time and educational programming |
| Lodi Boathouse | Watercraft tours, paddling events, and collaborative promotion of Lodi Lake activities |
| Sandhill Crane Association | Nature tours, birding walks, and shared environmental education programming |
| Tree Lodi | Arbor Day collaboration, urban forestry partnership, and tree planting at Lodi Lake |
| Lodi Watershed Program | River cleanup coordination and stormwater education |
2025 Program Activities Overview
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we enter our second year, Friends of Lodi Lake is focused on growth, sustainability, and deeper community impact. Our priorities for 2026 include:
- Expanding "Ramble Through the Bramble" Tours — recruiting and training additional volunteer docents to offer tours on a regular schedule, with specialized offerings for school field trips and seasonal themes.
- More Estella Smith Tours — Autie Estella will help you discover the history and nature of Lodi Lake and the Nature Trail
- Growing the Nature Area Garden — adding new native plantings, expanding interpretive signage, and hosting community planting days throughout the year.
- Monthly Second Saturday programming — continuing our free family events with rotating themes including wildflower walks, bird watching, river history, and seasonal celebrations.
- Estella Smith Memorial Initiative — working with the City of Lodi to establish a permanent tribute to Estella Smith and Louis T. Mason, whose generosity made Lodi Lake Park possible.
- Newsletter and communications — launching a regular email newsletter to keep our community informed about events, volunteer opportunities, and Nature Area updates.
- Habitat restoration and trail maintenance — partnering with the City and local organizations on invasive species removal, riverbank restoration, and trail improvement projects.
Get Involved
Friends of Lodi Lake is a volunteer-driven organization, and we need your help to protect and enhance this natural treasure. There are many ways to contribute:
Volunteer as a Docent
Lead Estella Smith Tours on the Nature Trail. No science background required; training is provided.
Join a Second Saturday
Bring your family to our free monthly gatherings at Lodi Lake — every second Saturday, 10:00 AM.
Help in the Garden
Participate in Nature Area Garden planting days, weeding sessions, and habitat restoration projects.
Thank you for supporting Friends of Lodi Lake.
Together, we’re ensuring that Lodi’s natural treasure remains vibrant for generations to come.
Friends of Lodi Lake
Instagram: @friendsoflodilake • Facebook: Friends of Lodi Lake
Lodi Lake Park • 1101 W. Turner Road • Lodi, CA 95242
References & Resources
- Friends of Lodi Lake — Official Website
- History of Friends of Lodi Lake
- Nature Trail Docents — Friends of Lodi Lake
- City of Lodi — Lodi Lake Park
- Lodi Lake Volunteer Docents — City of Lodi
- Visit Lodi — Lodi Lake Park
- Lodi Boathouse — Guided Tours
- Lodi Sandhill Crane Association — Lodi Lake Events
- Vintage Lodi — From Onion Farm to Aquatic Charm: The History of Lodi’s Crown Jewel (Lodi News-Sentinel)
- Family Fun Event to Be Held at Lodi Lake (Lodi News-Sentinel, Nov 4, 2025)
- Friends of Lodi Lake — Instagram
- Friends of Lodi Lake — Facebook