Lake Forest Park council directs staff to press ahead with lakefront park design despite parking and long‑term operations questions

Lake Forest Park city staff said Thursday they will proceed with the next phase of design and permitting for the Lakefront Park project while gathering additional information about total project costs and how a proposed community center would be operated and funded.

The council’s discussion followed a July 10 work session and public outreach on the park design. City staff presented the current cost estimates and said most immediate funding needs for property acquisition and major site work are covered by grants and other sources. “We will be continuing to move forward, and we'll be back, at probably mid fall with another update,” a staff presenter said.

Why it matters: council members praised the design and the high level of community support but pressed staff for clearer, consolidated totals that include owner costs — not only construction line items — and for a realistic…