Living in Lake Forest Park
The community of Lake Forest Park constitutes three square miles at the north end of Lake Washington. To the south, Lake Forest Park begins at the city limit of Seattle. To the north, Lake Forest Park ends at the Snohomish county line. To the east, the city is bounded by Lake Washington and at 55th Avenue NE where the city of Kenmore begins. The city's western boundary is at the city of Shoreline's city limit. Lake Forest Park is a distinctly forested environment,a green oasis just 12 miles from downtown Seattle. The City has been designated a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
Getting Around and To and From Lake Forest Park
Get out and about using your own two feet, a bike or public transportation. Commute by bus to businesses in Town Center, to work in Seattle, Redmond, Everett, Lynnwood and points beyond using maps produced for King County Metro, the City of Lake Forest Park and Friends of Third Place Commons. The first three files are pages of the brochure, the fourth link takes you to Metro/King County's website.
- Map 1: Title Page - Bus Routes - Transportation Contact Numbers
- Map 2: Here to There by Bus, Bike or on Foot
- Map 3: Handy Map Shows LFP Bus Routes, Trails & Walks
- Click to find City Parks and Gathering Places
- Click to go to more maps of the City
- Lake Forest Park Tree Walks, prepared by members of the Urban Forest Task Force
Helpful Links
- Links to Community and Regional Resources
- Who to Call for Services in Lake Forest Park
- Lake Forest Park's Emergency Preparedness page
- Maps of Lake ForestPark
- Forest is our Middle Name: A Guide to Preserving and Enjoying Our Urban Forest
Demographics
The City's population grew 210% in the 1990′s, largely as the result of annexations. For more information, click on: Lake Forest Park 2000 Census Data
Quick Facts:
- Population: 12,730 (updated 2006)
- Median Age: 42
- Percent 65 and over: 13%
- Percent 19 and under: 24.7%
Housing
Early residential development focused on following the contours of the land and preserving the city's rustic woods and streams. The first residences were detached owner-occupied homes on large lots.Their size and scale ranged from modest cottages to elegant homes with expansive lake and mountain views.
Today's housing follows the same early development initiatives and the result is a quiet community of affordable to upscale houses nestled in forested hills.
Our city's hidden gardens shine in the annual Secret Gardens of Lake Forest Park tour. It is a self-guided tour that starts at LFP Towne Centre and takes you to delightful homes, art and music.
Leadership
Lake Forest Park is a city of volunteers led by an active mayor, city council and administrator. Community members serve on boards and
Commissions that oversee everything from city planning and environmental quality to community services, giving residents the chance to directly participate in shaping their city. For information about what's happening at City Hall, please look at the City Calendar
The City acts for the community with its involvement in regional projects and planning committees, including:
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• Brightwater • Metropolitan Water Pollution Abatement Advisory Committee • SeaShore Transportation Committee |
• Solid Waste Advisory Committee • Sheridan Beach Reliability Project • Association of Washington Cities • Suburban Cities Association |
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• Lake Ballinger/McAleer Creek Watershed Forum Including the Greater Hall Lake, Hall Creek, Chase Lake, Echo Lake Lake Ballinger, McAleer Creek Watershed |
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Employment and Business
The majority of Lake Forest Park businesses are located at or near Lake Forest Park Towne Centre shopping center, although there is another retail area located at the southern border of the city near 145th Avenue NE. The City has a number of home based businesses, and sponsors a yearly fair for small business owners to meet and network.
The city's branch of the King County public library is located in Towne Centre on the lower level, and there is a branch of Shoreline Community College there as well. Sundays, between May and October, the Lake Forest Park Commons Farmers Market operates in the lower level parking lot. The city is primarily residential, there is no industrial development in the city limits.
Recreation
There are parks and playgrounds, wetlands and streams within the city limits. Active citizen commissions help shape recreation and conservation efforts. There are two beach clubs on Lake Washington offering access to the lake and boat ramp facilities. The popular Burke Gilman Trail, linking the Puget Sound to the foothills of the Cascade range, runs along Lake Forest Park's lakeshore.
The shopping center features a unique community space, an indoor park containing a stage, a meeting room and Third Place Commons , an open space where people meet friends, hang out, work, share meals or coffee, hold meetings, etc. Third Place Commons is used by many community groups and it is where many community events are held. The space is open to all, 363 days a year during Mall hours. Several restaurants are located around the perimeter of the Commons.
Annual Events:
- Dig It! Annual Environmental Fair, at Third Place Commons, March
- Earth Day Work Day, at Cole Nature Park, April
- LFP Commons Farmers Market: May to October
- Secret Gardens of Lake Forest Park, garden tour and fair
- Community Halloween Party, Third Place Commons, October 31
Education
The city is served by Shoreline Community College and the Shoreline School District. Shoreline Community College has opened a branch campus on the top floor of Lake Forest Park Town Center, adjacent to Third Place Commons and Third Place Books. SCC@LFP is a regional leader in high technology certification preparation and advanced information and technology programs. SCC@LFP provides day and evening college credit courses and workforce training programs of interest to the general public, local business and industry. Shoreline School District operates one high school, a middle school and three elementary schools that serve Lake Forest Park students:
Shoreline Community College@Lake Forest Park
http://success.shoreline.edu/scclfp/
17171 Bothell Way NE #A220
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
206-533-6700
Shoreline School District
http://www.shorelineschools.org
18560 1st Ave NE
Shoreline, WA 98155
206-367-6111 Switchboard
206-367-4111 Info Line
Links to descriptions of individual schools and programs: http://www.shorelineschools.org/schools/default.php
School names below link to school websites:
Secondary Schools
- Shorecrest High School (grades 9-12)
- Kellogg Middle School (grades 7 and 8)
Elementary Schools:(K-6)
Public Library
The Lake Forest Park Library, a branch of the King County Library Service, is located in Town Center on the lower level. Click to go to the LFP Library website.
Volunteering
There are lots of volunteer opportunities in the City-- it's a great way to meet new friends and get to know the community. Click here for more information. A way to get involved in City government is to apply to serve on a City Commission or Committee.
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