The city of Medical Lake is planning to expand recreation, tourism, and economic development opportunities after assuming ownership of 60 acres of land, including Waterfront Park and portions of the Medical Lake trail system.

The move provides the city with needed flexibility to pursue long-term improvements while preserving one of the community's most valued public assets, says Sonny Weathers, city administrator for Medical Lake.

The 2025 property transfer from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services was finalized in June 2026 and ends decades of state ownership while placing stewardship of the land in community hands. Although the city has maintained, improved, and operated Waterfront Park and its trail system for years, ownership remained with the state for nearly six decades, Weathers says.

"(The transfer) included up to $100,000 of the state building construction account as a state appropriation to facilitate the transfer, including closing costs, surveying costs, recording costs, costs related to the recording of easements, and costs related to an interagency agreement with the Department of Enterprise Services to transfer the land," Weathers says. "Any costs above $100,000 must be assumed by the city, though we are optimistic it will not exceed the funds provided." 

The city now can begin planning future investments designed to strengthen Medical Lake's position as an outdoor recreation destination, Weathers says.

Potential improvements include expanded trail experiences, enhanced recreational amenities, and new overnight accommodations, such as campgrounds, cabins, and recreational vehicle facilities that encourage visitors to stay longer and support the economy.

Located on the southern shore of Medical Lake, the 45-acre Waterfront Park is the city's largest city park, according to the city's website.

State Rep. Mike Volz worked closely with city officials, DSHS representatives, and state budget writers to advance legislation and budget language that authorized the transfer while maintaining the property's recreational purpose, Weathers says.

During the legislative process, lawmakers refined the transfer language to clarify that recreation-supporting amenities, including campgrounds, cabins, and other overnight accommodations, are compatible with the property's intended use.

Including those provisions has provided the city with greater flexibility as it evaluates future investments while maintaining public access and protecting the park's natural character, Weathers explains.

"This transfer is a once-in-a-generation opportunity," says Weathers. "We're grateful to Rep. Volz, the state, and all of our partners who helped make it possible. By securing local ownership of Waterfront Park, we're preserving a beloved community asset while creating new opportunities for recreation, tourism, and economic development that will benefit Medical Lake for decades to come."

Weathers says the transfer represents more than a real estate transaction. By placing ownership in the community's hands, the city has gained the ability to shape the future of one of Medical Lake's signature destinations, building a sustainable outdoor recreation and visitor economy while protecting a community asset that residents have enjoyed for generations.