King County council recognizes Lake Forest Park's 50th anniversary

King Councilmember Bob Ferguson is joined by From L to R: Lake Forest Park City Administrator David Cline, Mayor Dave Hutchinson, and Councilmember Sandy Koppenol and Deputy Mayor Dwight Thompson. The County Council recognized the city of Lake Forest as the city celebrates the 50th Anniversary of its incorporation.

The Metropolitan King County Council today, Monday, June 27,  recognized the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of the city of Lake Forest Park. Lake Forest Park Mayor David Hutchinson, Deputy Mayor Dwight Thompson, City Councilmember Sandy Koppenol, and City Administrator David Cline were in Council chambers to receive the recognition from Metropolitan King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson.

“Lake Forest Park has created a great community with a strong and active Mayor leading many projects with the help of volunteers from across the city,” said Ferguson, who represents Lake Forest Park on the County Council. “Having been recognized eight times as a ‘Tree City USA Community’ by the Arbor Day Foundation, it has upheld the values it was founded on: preserving the ‘magnificent sweeps of forest green’.”

“I am proud to be Lake Forest Park’s Mayor as it celebrates its 50th birthday,” said Lake Forest Park Mayor Dave Hutchinson. “We appreciate a positive working relationship with King County and thank them for this recognition.”

“Lake Forest Park is a great place to live and call home,” said Lake Forest Park Deputy Mayor Dwight Thompson. “I thank the Council for honoring the first 50 years of Lake Forest Park's and King County's shared history and look forward to the next 50.”

“It is a pleasure to be here to recognize this important milestone for the Lake Forest Park community,” said Lake Forest Park City Councilmember Sandy Koppenol. “Our ongoing commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the area is part of what makes Lake Forest Park such a great place to live.”

Lake Forest Park was designed to preserve the natural beauty of the area. Since its incorporation on June 20, 1961, citizens have continued on the path of preserving its natural aspects by organizing and participating in many projects such as the Urban Forest Task Force, which is made up of citizens who look at the existing tree preservation ordinance and make recommendations for changes.

The anniversary celebration included a weekend of family activities, including a community bonfire, a stargazing event, barbeques, garden tours, Goat Days, concerts at the Lake Forest Park Farmer’s Market, and a birthday cake.

The Peruvian consulate, located in Lake Forest Park, joined the celebration, donating a statue of Admiral Miguel Grau Seminario, a renowned Peruvian naval officer, to the city.

While in Lake Forest Park, citizens and visitors can learn more about the city through the Historic Markers which depict the history of the area before and after incorporation. This was made possible by King County’s 4Culture Heritage Special Project grant in collaboration with the Shoreline Historical Museum.