Pros:
Another Mike Dunkle designed course and probably the one I had the most fun on outside of Camp Swatara. Lakeside is located on a former (?) stone Quarry in Myerstown forming the Lake and it makes a fantastic eastern side addition to the satellite of Lebanon courses (South Hills, Lenni Lenape, nearby Jackson Recreational Creek). While it's not the most visually watery DG spot I currently know in SE PA, nearby Jackson wins that crown, water comes into play much more often, by a mile. But the distances are shorter and it's more fine touch play overall.
Steep cliff-like sides are in play throughout the beginning and more hidden in the middle, as is a lot of creek and to a lesser extent, the lake leading to a number of disc loss possibilities. It's not like a lot of holes are particularly hard, but the opportunities to lose discs are plentiful.
Random tree kicks down cliffs into the creeks on #1-4, creek crossovers with a multitude of trees on the edges on #5, 15, 16 or possibly shanking right on #6, 13, or 18 into down steep cliffsides into the Quarry Lake. The creek crossovers might be recoverable unless the water is running fast - especially with a retriever.
That said, a fair amount of hassle here can be avoided if you're willing to layup short or able to shoot straight trajectories around 200' fairly consistently. However, risk is part of the game, the fun in something like #3 is a challenge of trusting your aim, and even straight shots like #11 and 12 are finicky with how small the islands are at the end. #16 is a 150 tunnel shot, with creek as the floor.
Lakeside thankfully isn't my hometown course. It would have treated this griplocking beginner rather poorly and would have made learning the sport a rather expensive endeavor much to the delight of the nearby disc shop. But as a relatively nearby (1 hour drive) course, it completely works for me. Getting a birdie on something like #3, 13, or 16 feels like a small accomplishment. That it's in a circle of three other good courses is icing on the cake.
Tees are adequate, signs are good, navigation was easy, baskets had built-in next tee arrows.
+#10 has photogenic potential
Cons:
It can't be ignored that this park is right up against Myertown's Waster Water Plant. People report bad smells at times. I didn't notice anything overt but it smelled a bit funky around #13, but I think was the farm across the street.
However, the thing I noticed immediate is this course plays a lot into itself. Getting to and playing #4 backtracks all of #3 and #1-2 fairways. #9 and #10 has a mild bit of overlap. But everything after #14's tee is a slew of overlap and backtracking until #18. If this course becomes popular, I imagine this will lead to a lot of traffic jams and near misses of other players.
#7, 8, 9 is a bit of a lull and rather dull, pedestrian filler that's been seen often enough.
I almost lost discs here 3x in one round. Had to get into the water once on a bad kick.
I DO recommend bringing throwaway discs and a retriever. I don't recommend bringing newbies or beginners with only a few rounds under their belt here.
Other Thoughts:
Entire Course loops back to itself.
First four holes start on this single long strip of land, starting at about 64' wide and getting narrower until #3, with steep sides bordered by Owl Creek on the left and Tulpehocken Creek on the right. #3 has two routes guarded by a lot of trees and is generally narrow. #4 backtracks plays back out on same fairways.
#5 throws across Tulpehocken Creek. Distance is easy but a number of trees on the opposite bank for a number of medium sized windows.
#6-7-8-9-10 make use of the field between Tulpehocken Creek and the Quarry Lake. This is a general respite featuring easy-going, back and forth, open holes. The sign for photogenic #10 seems to message the Lake can be significantly higher than it actually was on my trip there.
#11-12-13 starts with a anhyzer hole towards the street and then two tunnel-like shots, with a small "island". Shanking #12 or #13 wildly right here will lead to bad times. Steep cliff down to lake. Left is forgiving OB of rural road.
#14-18 is the end stretch all taking place on a field going back down towards Tulpehocken Creek. #15 is another creekover. There is a quick over the creek route that does best with forehand but the sign gives a tantalizing RHBH option 200' over water trusting in the fade of the disc. I wasn't that brave but #16 forces the same throw, in the opposite direction, this time but the bridge elevates the tee and it's shorter to the basket. With the trees, it's a true tunnel the first 150' or so. #17 is a conventional uphill and #18 goes downhill to the right with a number of guardian trees around the basket.
Terrain: OOOo - Interesting terrain but a bit small for 18 holer and it shows in design.
Execution: OOOo - Very good. The best holes are on overlaps, good with the bad.
Upkeep: N/A. Brand new.
Difficulty: OOO - Intermediate. While the throws here don't have to be advanced or far, the touch at times have to be quite precise.
Fun Factor: OOOO - I had an excellent time here but I can imagine having a miserable time here too. Lots of luck!
Crowded: XXx. Reasonable. It's brand new but encountered a number of players.
Overall: OOOo - Very good example of a water course. It has issues but well worth the play.