Lakewood, Suburban city in Los Angeles County, US.
Lakewood is a city in Los Angeles County, California, covering roughly 9.5 square miles and located about ten miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city features a grid of wide boulevards with landscaped medians and residential streets that connect neighborhoods with shopping centers and parks.
In the early 1950s, the city was developed on former sugar beet fields as a planned residential community with more than 17,000 homes and incorporated on April 16, 1954. It became one of the first municipalities to organize essential public services such as law enforcement and fire protection through contracts with the county.
The Pan American Fiesta, initiated in 1947, brings together residents through parades, sports festivals, and celebrations highlighting connections with Pan American nations.
The city is easily accessible by car and features public parks and recreational facilities that can be explored on foot or by bicycle. The county sheriff office provides public safety services, while a dedicated helicopter program offers additional monitoring.
Lakewood pioneered the contract city model in the United States, where municipalities maintain local control while outsourcing essential services to the county.
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