GREEN LAKE CITY NEWS

January 2025

Park Drive Boat Launch

Thank you for your patience during last summer's renovations of the Park Drive boat launch. Improvements include a wider parking lot, a double lane motorized concrete boat launch, and an ADA compliant floating boat launch boarding dock to be installed this spring. In addition, a handicap accessible sidewalk now connects the parking lot to the bathrooms and South Street sidewalk.

Playground Park Progress

Playground Pals are raising funds to build an all-inclusive playground at Playground Park off of Mill Street for children of all abilities and disabilities. Of the $670,000 needed to build and maintain the playground, $330,000 has been raised to date. Click here to learn of the vision, review the playground and help make it a reality through a donation.

The Legacy by the Bay

Revised plans for a new multi-million dollar condo complex is nearing completion that will be built on the former Bayview Motel location on Lake Street. It will have 7 townhomes and 10 condos with modern amenities, garages, clubhouse and more. To see the renderings and to learn more about the development, click here.

Green Lake to Welcome New Cafe

Scoot's Cafe, currently under construction on Bayview Court overlooking Deacon Mills Park, is scheduled to open this summer. With stunning lake views from inside and outside or the rooftop patio, Scoot's will serve scratch-made breakfast and lunch with locally sourced ingredients, specialty coffees, fine teas, and brunch beverages. Learn more here.

Comprehensive Plan

The City of Green Lake Ad Hoc Econ Development Committee is partnering with Vierbicher, a community planning firm, to update the City's comprehensive plan. This plan will outline a vision for Green Lake’s future and the steps needed to achieve it. As an initial step, residents of the 54941 area are invited to participate in open meetings and complete a community survey February 1-28. Laptops for completing the survey will be available throughout the month at Caestecker Public Library and the Chamber.

The City's Financial Report

Mayor Ray Radis and the City Council, comprised of representatives from District 1 - Chris Foos and Mark Wilton, District 2 - Jon McConnell and Steve Utech, and District 3 - George King and Danielle Reysen, share important financial information including why property taxes were lower and why an upcoming referendum is needed. Read the report here.

Parks & Recreation Update

The City of Green Lake is committed to improving its parks for the community. Recent upgrades were made to four parks with Highknocker Park and Hattie Sherwood Park and Campground set for enhancements this year. Learn more about the Park & Rec's initiatives here.

Mill Street Bridge Rebuild 2026

The Mill Street Bridge, located by the dam overlooking the Puchyan River and originally built in 1929, is due for replacement. At a public meeting last September, WDOT's engineering firm presented information about the proposed timeline and the design of the new bridge structure. Learn more here.

A Piece of Green Lake History

Playground Park and Mill Street Bridge have a connected historic location. 

The first settler of our area was William Dakin in 1843. He helped others locate here, the earliest settlers being Anson Dart and William and John Sherwood. Dart built the first sawmill, which only operated two years, and he later built a dam to develop waterpower for a sawmill that existed near the Mill Street Bridge. 

Playground Park was the site of the John Sherwood Grist Mill built in 1850. The original structure was a 4-story wood frame. The water power for the mill’s wheel came from the new channel from the mill pond hand dug by many men. The channel now has a bridge with beautiful flower displays along it from May-October tended by talented and dedicated local volunteer gardeners.