The Lakes, Tempe.
A 1970s lake community
in south Tempe.
The Lakes is a lake community in south Tempe, at Baseline and Rural roads, described in a 1969 report as a planned community of 300 acres. Its association, The Lakes Community Association, held its first meeting on February 8, 1972, and lists a 2026 assessment of $405 a quarter.
The Lakes on the map
Approximate outline drawn around the recorded subdivision plats named for The Lakes on the Maricopa County Assessor map. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
A planned community built around a lake
The Lakes is a lake community in south Tempe. It is governed by The Lakes Community Association, which runs the lake, the clubhouse and the common areas through a board of directors.
A 1969 report held by the Tempe History Museum describes The Lakes as a planned community of 300 acres. A planned community is a large tract laid out as one design, with streets, lots and shared amenities planned together.
A Tempe History Museum aerial photograph from about 1975 shows Baseline Road along the north side of the neighborhood, Rural Road on the west, and Lakeshore Drive cutting through the middle. The association's clubhouse and office sit at 5501 S. Lakeshore Drive, Tempe, AZ 85283.
Plotted around 1970, built in the early 1970s
The Tempe History Museum holds a promotional map from about 1970 that shows the housing plots in The Lakes subdivision. A subdivision is land divided into lots for sale, recorded on a map called a plat.
A museum photograph dated May 8, 1972 shows the sales sign for The Lakes Subdivision at 1200 East Baseline Road. Another photograph shows The Lakes under construction on August 3, 1973. The association newsletter, The Lakes Log, began in May 1972.
The members of The Lakes Community Association held their first meeting on February 8, 1972. The association still holds its annual meeting on the second Tuesday of February, per its community manager updates.
About 1970
Promotional map of the housing plots in The Lakes subdivision, now in the Tempe History Museum.
1972
Sales sign at 1200 East Baseline Road photographed on May 8. First association members' meeting on February 8.
1973 to 1977
Construction photographed in August 1973. Aerial photographs from about 1975 to 1977 show water, houses, docks and condominiums.
The lake, the clubhouse and the park next door
The association lists community docks, a boat ramp and boating on the lake and its channels. The lake is drained and scrubbed once a year, per the association's community manager updates. Parks, small finger parks and greenbelts run through the neighborhood.
- Beach and Tennis Club, 5501 S. Lakeshore Dr.The association's clubhouse. It has a fitness room, a multipurpose room and courts for tennis, pickleball, basketball, volleyball and racquetball. Hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, per the association's club page. The pool and its spa are listed on the association's community manager updates.
- The lake and channels.Residents boat on the lake and its channels, using the community docks and boat ramp. The association asks boaters to follow basic boating rules and use proper lights.
- Kiwanis Park, Mill Avenue and All America Way.A 125-acre City of Tempe park west of The Lakes. The city lists a lake with urban fishing, a recreation center, tennis and volleyball courts, ball fields, a dog park, a splash playground, ramadas and picnic tables. See the city's park listing.
South Tempe, a short drive from downtown
Distances below are straight lines measured from the Beach and Tennis Club at 5501 S. Lakeshore Drive. Driving distances are longer.
- Tempe City Hall, 31 E. Fifth St.About 4 miles north, in downtown Tempe between Mill and College Avenues.
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.About 7 miles northwest.
- Chandler City Hall, 175 S. Arizona Ave.About 7 miles southeast.
Houses, condominiums and one association
Photographs in the Tempe History Museum show houses and docks on the water and residential condominiums from about 1977, and apartments on the shoreline in 1986.
Owners pay assessments to The Lakes Community Association. For 2026 the association lists a quarterly assessment of $405, due by the last day of January, April, July and October. Exterior changes to a home need the association's architectural approval first. Governing documents are posted on the association's site.
The board usually meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the upstairs lounge of the Beach and Tennis Club.
The Lakes, answered
Where is The Lakes in Tempe?
The Lakes is in south Tempe. Baseline Road runs along its north side, Rural Road is on its west side, and Lakeshore Drive runs through it.
When was The Lakes built?
A 1969 report describes it as a planned community, a promotional lot map dates from about 1970, and construction was photographed in 1973. The association held its first members' meeting on February 8, 1972.
How big is The Lakes?
A 1969 report in the Tempe History Museum describes it as a planned community of 300 acres.
Is there an HOA in The Lakes?
Yes. The Lakes Community Association runs the lake, the Beach and Tennis Club and the common areas. For 2026 it lists a quarterly assessment of $405.
Can you boat on the lake at The Lakes?
Yes. The association lists community docks, a boat ramp and boating on the lake and its channels.
What is at the Beach and Tennis Club?
A swimming pool with a spa, a fitness room, a multipurpose room and courts for tennis, pickleball, basketball, volleyball and racquetball, at 5501 S. Lakeshore Drive.
What park is near The Lakes?
Kiwanis Park, a 125-acre City of Tempe park at Mill Avenue and All America Way, with a lake, a recreation center, courts, ball fields and a dog park.
How far is The Lakes from Sky Harbor Airport?
About 7 miles in a straight line from the Beach and Tennis Club.
Looking at The Lakes?
Lot size, the construction year, whether a lot fronts the water and the current association assessment sit in the parcel and association records. Send me the addresses and I will pull them.
Own a home in The Lakes? See what the county has on file and get a real value. Looking? Search homes for sale.
Sources: Tempe History Museum collection records for the 1969 report on The Lakes, the c. 1970 subdivision map, the 1972 subdivision sign, the c. 1975 aerial, The Lakes neighborhood items and the 1986 shoreline photograph; The Lakes Community Association home page, community manager updates, LCA page and Beach and Tennis Club page; City of Tempe Kiwanis Park listing and City Hall listing; Chandler City Hall. Distances computed from U.S. Census Bureau geocoder coordinates, and airport coordinates from Wikipedia. All checked 28 October 2026.