LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA – It’s official! In a touching yearly tradition, Lafayette now has its official Citizen of the Year for 2026.
The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce has named longtime volunteer and civic leader Carol Singer as its 2026 Citizen of the Year, honoring more than four decades of behind-the-scenes work that helped shape parks, trails, and major planning efforts across the city.
Singer, a Lafayette resident for more than 50 years, was described by nominators as a “quiet” but deeply influential presence in local civic life.
A centerpiece of Singer’s recognition is her 40th year of service on Lafayette’s Parks, Trails and Recreation Commission, where she has served since 1986, including multiple terms as chair, according to the Chamber’s announcement.
Over the years, her leadership and participation have touched numerous projects, including Lafayette’s Community Park, the Jennifer Russell Building, the Community Center Play Area, and most recently the new Hamlin Nature Park.
The Chamber also highlighted Singer’s role in long-range planning, noting she is the only Lafayette resident to have served on all of these key committees:
- General Plan Advisory Committee (2002 General Plan and the current update)
- Downtown Specific Plan Committee (2012)
Nominators credited that breadth of involvement with helping improve Lafayette’s long-term “livability” — from how the city grows to how public amenities are designed and maintained.
Singer’s community work also includes involvement with local organizations and public participation efforts, like the Lafayette Homeowners Association, Friends of the Lafayette Library, and more.
The Chamber and City will celebrate Singer at the annual Citizen of the Year dinner on March 19 at 6:00 pm at the Lafayette Park Hotel, with registration available through the Chamber’s Citizen of the Year page.
Congrats to Singer, and thanks for a lifetime of service to the city!
