Lake Forest Park
In 1909 Ole Hanson developed Lake Forest Park as one the region’s first planned communities. With a focus on nature and beautiful surroundings, Lake Forest Park was open to anyone to build a home, but Hanson prohibited the construction of saloons, shacks, stores, roadhouses or apartments. The community was designed to preserve natural landmarks and stream flow.
As Seattle grew, people looking to escape the bustle of the city were attracted to Lake Forest Park. The community incorporated in 1961, partially as a result of residents feeling their natural surroundings were being threatened by their larger neighbor to the south, Seattle.
Geographically, the city’s northern boundary is the Snohomish county line, the southern boundary is Seattle’s city limits, Shoreline city limits are the western boundary and the city’s eastern boundaries are Lake Washington and the 55th Ave. Northeast Kenmore city limit. Hanson’s original concept of a city within natural surroundings still exists today. More than half of the businesses in the city are home-based. Only 4 percent of the city's total land is commercial. That 4 percent holds the mall at Lake Forest Town Centre—featuring many of businesses you would find in a city’s commercial district—like a grocery store, a drugstore, banks, restaurants and coffee shops.