Lake Forest Park is a suburban city in King County, Washington, United States, located northeast of

Seattle Seattle ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Washington and in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. With a population of 780,995 in 2024, it is the 18th-most populous city in the United States. The city is the cou ...

. It was developed in the 20th century as a

bedroom community A commuter town is a populated area that is primarily residential rather than commercial or industrial. Routine travel from home to work and back is called commuting, which is where the term comes from. A commuter town may be called by many o ...

with

single-family housing A single-family detached home, also called a single-detached dwelling, single-family residence (SFR) or separate house is a free-standing residential building. It is defined in opposition to a multi-family residential dwelling. Definitions ...

on medium to large-sized lots. Less than 4% of the city's land is zoned commercial, largely concentrated in one location, and there are no industrial areas. The city is situated at the northwest end of Lake Washington along State Route 522, which provides connections to Seattle and Bothell. Lake Forest Park includes several parks and nature reserves, access to the Burke–Gilman Trail, and organized summer events. The population of the city was 13,630 at the 2020 census.

History

Lake Forest Park was founded in 1912 by Ole Hanson as one of the Seattle area's first planned communities. Envisioned as a picturesque retreat for professionals, the developers planned roads and lots in strict consideration for natural landmarks. The original prospectus for lot sales declared:

…the strict fiat has gone forth that all the natural beauty must be preserved; that no tree must unwittingly be cut down; that the natural wild flowers must remain; that the streams, the springs, the lake front, the nodding willows, the stately cedar, the majestic fir, the quivering cypress and the homelike maple and all the flora and fauna with which Nature has blessed this lakeshore, must not be defiled by the hand of man.

Until 1914 and completion of the Red Brick Road (now Bothell Way, part of State Route 522) to nearby Kenmore and Bothell, it also marked the literal end of improved roads heading north from Seattle, with the best access to points further north and east being by boat across Lake Washington or the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway. Lake Forest Park officially incorporated on June 20, 1961, in large part to help maintain its specific identity. The town remained small - under 5,000 in population - until the 1990s, when a series of annexations expanded city borders significantly and more than doubled the official population. The 3/4 acre Lyon Creek Park was created in the late 1990s on land purchased by the city in 1998. For the prior fifty years, the lot had belonged to Marcia and Robert Morris, who had built a modernist home and a horse stable on the property. Both buildings were torn down as part of the park conversion, which also included replanting the park with 5,000 native shrubs and plants. The replanting portion of the project involved the labor of hundreds of citizen volunteers. Lake Forest Park Town Center, the city's commercial core, was built in 1964 and hugs Bothell Way, not far from the lakeshore. In late 2005, city government began holding public meetings to discuss the future of the town center. The decision was made to renovate Lake Forest Park Town Center and it now spans 18 acres and offers many shopping and dining options along with entertainment. Lake Forest Park Town Center is also home to a branch of the King County Library System, Third Place Books, and Third Place Commons community center.

Geography

Lake Forest Park is situated at the north end of Lake Washington. The city's southern boundary begins at the city limit of Seattle. To the north, Lake Forest Park ends at the Snohomish county line, where the adjacent towns of Mountlake Terrace and Brier border it. To the east, the city is bounded by Lake Washington and at 55th Avenue NE where the city of Kenmore begins; the Burke-Gilman Trail runs in parallel to the lake shore, following the shoreline into Kenmore to the north, and Seattle to the south. The city's western boundary is at the City of Shoreline's city limit, mostly following 25th Avenue NE. According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the city has a total area of , of which, is land and is water. The two largest streams are Lyon Creek and McAleer Creek, both of which provide habitat for salmon. The shoreline includes two private beach clubs but no public boat access to Lake Washington; however, Lyon Creek Waterfront Preserve offers 100 feet of Lake Washington shoreline and a viewing dock that extends out into the lake.

Parks

* Horizon View Park is located at the highest point in Lake Forest Park and offers fields, a children's playground with swings and a play train, a basketball half-court, tennis court, play field, picnic tables, and paved pathways through a natural, wooded area. Horizon View covers 8.4 acres and is located at 19800 47th Ave NE (198th St at 47th Ave NE). * Pfingst Animal Acres Park is located at NE 178th St and Brookside Blvd and features picnic tables, a 0.25 mile walking loop, a salmon viewing platform, and a beautiful dogwood flower-shaped drinking fountain for people and dogs. The park is also home to a bust of Admiral Miguel Grau Seminario that was presented to the City of Lake Forest Park by the Consulate General of Peru and the Peruvian Navy in 2011. * Grace Cole Nature Park is a 15.2 acre wetland named after distinguished State Representative Grace Cole and is located at 30th Ave NE at NE 166th St. The Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation hosts regular "ivy out" work parties in the summer to restore and preserve the wildlife habitat. * Lyon Creek Waterfront Preserve is located across the street from the Lake Forest Park Town Center at 17337 Beach Drive NE, next to the Lake Forest Park Civic Club. A short trail and boardwalk are perfect for viewing where Lyon Creek meets Lake Washington. This park includes 100 feet of Lake Washington shoreline. * Whispering Willow Park is found at 17038 44th Ave NE. The park features a short boardwalk, seating, and a natural children's play area. It connects 44th Ave NE with the Lake Forest Park Town Center.

Government

Lake Forest Park has a

mayor–council government A mayor–council government is a system of local government in which a mayor who is directly elected by the voters acts as chief executive, while a separately elected city council constitutes the legislative body. It is one of the two most comm ...

with an elected city council composed of seven members. The mayor is a separate elected position with four-year terms. The City of Lake Forest Park uses strategic partnerships with neighboring cities to provide shared services, including recreational opportunities. A partnership with City of Shoreline's Recreation Department offers residents discounted access to their programs. The Lake Forest Park Municipal Court was established in 1961 and processes approximately 10,000 filings annually. The presiding judge is appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council for a four-year term. The Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Youth Court (SLFPYC) operated under the supervision of the Shoreline District Court and the Lake Forest Park Municipal Court. Lake Forest Park operates its own municipal police agency.

Neighborhoods

Lake Forest Park Town Center forms the city's commercial core. This one complex includes the

public library A public library is a library, most often a lending library, that is accessible by the general public and is usually funded from public sources, such as taxes. It is operated by librarians and library paraprofessionals, who are also Civil servic ...

, police department, city hall, and approximately 40 shops, small businesses, and medical/professional offices. Third Place Commons is a large public space that occupies much of the central building's upper level. In the summer, this same complex hosts a large outdoor farmer's market. Until late 2007, the city was also served by a finance unit post office in the same complex, the functions of which have since been moved to nearby

Shoreline A coast (coastline, shoreline, seashore) is the land next to the sea or the line that forms the boundary between the land and the ocean or a lake. Coasts are influenced by the topography of the surrounding landscape and by aquatic erosion, su ...

. The Town Center was also home to Shoreline Community College's Lake Forest Park satellite campus but it is now closed. Residential neighborhoods include: * Horizon View, in the northeast corner of the city, is characterized by its proximity to Horizon View Park, the highest point in Lake Forest Park. The park sits atop a small plateau, approached by several steep hills. Half of the "train park", as some local youth refer to it, is the park, which was improved between 2001 and 2003, also in early 2013 with a trail extension, field upgrades and a new playset. The other half is a reservoir. They hold recreational sports in the park. * Sheridan Beach/Heights, in the southeast corner of the city, is characterized by its proximity to the Sheridan Beach Club, to which its residents have access for a fee.

Demographics

Based on

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

, one of the more reliable measures of affluence, Lake Forest Park ranks 26th of 614 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 12,598 people, 5,024 households, and 3,502 families residing in the city. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...

was . There were 5,268 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 83.0% White, 1.8% African American, 0.6% Native American, 8.8% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 4.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.6% of the population. There were 5,024 households, of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...

living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.3% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.92. The median age in the city was 45 years. 20.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.8% were from 25 to 44; 34.9% were from 45 to 64; and 15.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.7% male and 50.3% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 13,142 people, 5,029 households, and 3,600 families residing in the city. The

was 3,716.2 people per square mile (1,433.4/km²). There were 5,168 housing units at an average density of 1,461.4 per square mile (563.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.32% White, 1.64% African American, 0.43% Native American, 7.94% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.92% from other races, and 3.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.24% of the population. There were 5,029 households, out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.1% were

living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 2.97. In the city the population was spread out, with 22.4% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 31.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males. The median income for a household in the city was $74,149, and the median income for a family was $84,316. Males had a median income of $53,164 versus $39,531 for females. The

for the city was $33,419. About 1.3% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.

Notable residents

* Michelle Akers, professional soccer player *

Octavia Butler Octavia Estelle Butler (June 22, 1947 – February 24, 2006) was an American science fiction writer who won several awards for her works, including Hugo, Locus, and Nebula awards. In 1995, Butler became the first science-fiction writer to recei ...

, science fiction author * Adam Ray, comedian and actor * Rainn Wilson, actor, author * DeAndre Yedlin, professional soccer player

Education

Of the city's population over the age of 25, 21.1 percent have a graduate or professional degree, 51.1 percent (vs. a national average of 24 percent) hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 93.2 percent (vs. 80 percent nationally) have a high school diploma or equivalent according to the 2000 census. The community is in the Shoreline School District. There are two public schools (Brookside Elementary and Lake Forest Park Elementary) which are operated by the district.

References

External links

City of Lake Forest Park
{{Authority control Populated places established in 1912 Cities in King County, Washington Cities in the Seattle metropolitan area Planned communities in the United States 1912 establishments in Washington (state) Cities in Washington (state)