Pictured are Pastor Will Lloyd, his wife, Dr. Ariel M. Lloyd, and their young daughter, who live happily in Lake Barrrington. The diversity of businesses in the area make the neighborhood the perfect spot for their growing family.
Pastor Will Lloyd describes Lake Barrington as a peaceful and close-knit community. Besides the fact that the neighborhood has its own homeowners’ association and is a Subdivision Improvement District, it’s the people that play a big role in Lloyd’s fondness of his neighborhood.
Lloyd and his wife, Dr. Ariel M. Lloyd, chose to move to Lake Barrington in 2008 after returning from a temporary stay in Jackson, Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina. Upon returning home to New Orleans, they found refuge in a newly renovated home in Lake Barrington.
The home was and remains, 10 years later, the perfect location for the Lloyd family. With a young daughter, having the grade-A elementary school Lake Forest Charter only a few short blocks away was a huge benefit. Additionally, Lake Barrington isn’t far from the Lloyd family’s church home, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church. They also have family members within walking distance of the subdivision.
“Our experience with our neighbors in Lake Barrington has been a positive one, since we look out for one another,” Lloyd said.
The subdivision is bounded by Morrison Road on the north, Wright Road on the west, Interstate 10 on the south and the Berg Canal on the east. Just outside of the neighborhood, New Orleans East has a lot to offer residents in the way of education, dining and entertainment.
“My family and I love to visit the New Orleans Public Library on Read Boulevard, Fire Food & Spirits and New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood Co. on Bullard Avenue, and Freezy Street on Chef Highway,” Lloyd said.
As owner of Renewal and Restoration, LLC, located down the road in Broadmoor, Mrs. Lloyd offers individual, group, couples and family counseling. Lloyd provides her patients with the skills and environment to help them experience wholeness and serenity through social development, emotional stability and spiritual wellness.
As Pastor of Youth, College Students & Young Professionals at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, Mr. Lloyd works with Sr. Pastor Fred Luter, Jr. in leading students toward salvation, spiritual growth and accountability. Lloyd’s commute was once 10 minutes long, but the church’s relocation to New Orleans East has cut his commute to less than half that time.
Lake Barrington is connected to a larger group of business professionals, development districts, and a faith community that shows living in New Orleans East is an excellent prospect. “Our association leaders do a great job of engaging the residents for community involvement,” Lloyd said.
Examples of resident involvement in Lake Barrington can be seen especially bright during the Christmas season. One of Lloyd’s neighbors, Mrs. Williams, is chairing and coordinating a Lake Barrington HOA “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” committee that will assist in hanging and removing neighbors’ Christmas holiday decorations for those who need help due to health or age.
Volunteers from St. Augustine High School, Crown of Life Lutheran and Franklin Avenue Baptist Churches will be helping the elderly or ill neighbors of Lake Barrington as part of their community service efforts. With this initiative, Mrs. Williams hopes to make a statement to the City that “Lake Barrington is alive and thriving” by increasing the number of homes in Lake Barrington that display the Christmas spirit.
It’s because of acts like this that Lloyd describes Lake Barrington as being special because of its residents, their care for each other and their concern to keep the neighborhood a clean, safe and attractive place to live.
