City moves forward with purchase of Steel Lake ‘lagoon’

“Steel Lake is an important part of the history of Federal Way.”

By Keelin Everly-Lang • March 7, 2025 3:30 pm
Margaret Reyhner is a longtime advocate for the protection of Steel Lake’s health and natural ecosystems and brought the opportunity to the City of Federal Way to purchase the property fondly referred to as the “lagoon” by residents. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror
Margaret Reyhner is a longtime advocate for the protection of Steel Lake’s health and natural ecosystems and brought the opportunity to the City of Federal Way to purchase the property fondly referred to as the “lagoon” by residents. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

The City of Federal Way is now the official owner of a property located at the end of Steel Lake that locals refer to as “the lagoon.”

Community member Margaret Reyhner told the Mirror after hearing the news that she was glad the council had the foresight for “the future of Federal Way to buy the property to preserve it in its natural habitat and to make a natural park in the future.”

The Federal Way City Council approved acquisition of the property on Feb. 4 and announced the official purchase of it at the March 4 council meeting.

Rehyner brought cake for the city council and Mayor Jim Ferrell to thank them for taking action to protect the natural area. One cake depicted Steel Lake in the day and one was decorated with a representation of the lake at night.

“Steel Lake is an important part of the history of Federal Way, and if you hadn’t brought it to our attention, it might have slipped away from us, so thank you so much, and thank you for all you do to keep the lake healthy as well,” Councilmember Susan Honda said to Reyhner at the council meeting.

Public commentor Harold Booker shared that he has been a resident of Federal Way for nearly 60 years and thanked the council for saving the lagoon.

“There are very few items left in this city untouched from the ‘60s and the lagoon was a place where we swam and chased and had a great time growing up, and I appreciate the council’s support,” Booker said.

The city doesn’t have definite plans for the future of the property yet, but moved forward with the purchase to preserve the natural area for the future.

“I’d like to say to everybody here in the room: one person can make a difference very easily. You just approach the right people and the right people help you and you’ve truly made a difference,” Reynher said during her public comment.

The chocolate cake depicts the Steel Lake lagoon at night…

The chocolate cake depicts the Steel Lake lagoon at night…

…while the vanilla cake shows the Steel Lake lagoon in the daytime. Both cakes were brought in by Margaret Reyhner to thank the Mayor and the City Council for purchasing the land at the end of Steel Lake to protect it. Photos courtesy of the City of Federal Way.

…while the vanilla cake shows the Steel Lake lagoon in the daytime. Both cakes were brought in by Margaret Reyhner to thank the Mayor and the City Council for purchasing the land at the end of Steel Lake to protect it. Photos courtesy of the City of Federal Way.