Lake Forest Park

What secrets does Lake Forest Park hold? We stand at the edge of a town carefully crafted amidst the whispering trees and shimmering waters of Lake Washington. Lake Forest Park isn’t just a collection of houses. It’s a living testament to a vision, a dream of a community woven into the natural landscape. Founded in 1912 by Ole Hanson, Lake Forest Park was one of Seattle’s first planned communities. Hanson envisioned a haven for professionals, a retreat where nature’s beauty reigned supreme. The original plans dictated that every tree, every stream, every wildflower be preserved. The city’s layout followed the natural contours of the land, a testament to Hanson’s respect for the environment. He even declared that no tree should be “unwittingly” cut down. Lake Forest Park was designed as a sanctuary, a place where the “laughing waters will forever make gladsome the hearts of the sylvan dwellers.” This wasn’t intended to be a playground for the wealthy elite, but a place where anyone could build a home amidst the trees, provided they adhered to the community’s strict rules: no saloons, shacks, stores, roadhouses, or apartment buildings. This was to be a residential park, particularly for those with cars, as the road from Seattle was already being paved. Imagine the scene in those early days: families arriving in their Model Ts, eager to build their dream homes amidst the cedars and firs. The community grew slowly, with over 100 new homes built in the 1920s. As roads improved and gasoline became more affordable, more families sought refuge from the city’s growing clamor. A school was built in 1923, and a civic club followed in 1924. Small businesses like grocery stores and gas stations sprouted along nearby roads. Even the Great Depression couldn’t stifle the town’s growth. Larger lots were subdivided. Shoreline land, newly exposed by the construction of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, was carved into view lots. Lake Forest Park’s population grew from just a handful of residents to over 13,000 in 2000. While much has changed over the years, the core of Hanson’s vision remains. Lake Forest Park is more than just a suburb of Seattle. It’s a community where the natural world and human habitation intertwine. It’s a place where you can still find the quiet whispers of nature, just as Hanson intended.