A super exciting event is happening on April 26th: the grand opening of the Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatics Center. This is so overdue. LO pretty much has it all. Beautiful neighborhoods, top-notch schools, wonderful dining and shopping, but it’s been missing a decent aquatics center.
There has been a pool at Lake Oswego High School, but public use is problematic due to heavy use by the school district. It was built decades ago, and it looks its age. So, getting a new swim center is a wonderful improvement.
There are 2 pools (lap and recreational), basketball, a gym, exercise rooms and Lockeroom’s.
The ribbon cutting is April 26th, 9:30-1:00, with ribbon cutting speeches, self-guided tours, and refreshments. The facility is located at 17525 Stafford Rd.
Spring is definitely in the air with 25 new listings in LO last week. That’s a lot of houses! 4 of those sold quickly and appear in this report as pending sales. 11 houses accepted offers and are now pending and 14 properties closed escrow and are now officially sold.
See below for RMLS data.
New Listings March 31-April 6, 2025
Address
Type
Price
Bedrooms
Baths
Sq Feet
4000 Carmen Dr #12
Condo
$295,000
2
2
866
44 Eagle Crest Dr #24
Condo
$300,000
3
2
1085
12846 Boones Ferry Rd
Condo
$470,000
2
2.5
1182
16675 Bonaire Ave
Detached
$598,000
3
1
1030
258 Cervantes
Attached
$624,950
3
2.5
2312
15128 Glen Eagles Ct
Detached
$900,000
4
2
2547
1871 Kilkenny Dr
Detached
$950,000
5
2.5
3086
2475 Glenmorrie Dr
Detached
$995,000
3
2.5
2892
1921 Indian Trail
Detached
$1,045,000
3
3
2882
3231 Duncan Dr
Detached
$1,050,000
4
2.5
3005
1610 Lee St
Detached
$1,089,000
4
3
2616
4730 Avery Ln
Detached
$1,195,000
4
2.5
2729
3853 Carman Dr
Detached
$1,199,000
3
2.5
2531
1405 Cherry Crest Ave
Detached
$1,249,000
4
2.5
3138
9 Buckingham Ter
Detached
$1,279,000
4
3
2766
1933 Indian Trail
Detached
$1,399,000
3
2
2456
1901 Cheryl Ct
Detached
$1,550,000
4
4.5
5068
17833 Marylcreek Dr
Detached
$1,680,000
5
4.5
5495
781 Northshore Rd
Detached
$2,198,000
3
2.5
2361
17104 Cedar Rd
Detached
$2,895,000
3
3
3343
13041 Knaus Rd
Detached
$3,890,000
4
4.5
4924
Pending Sales March 31-April 6, 2025
Address
Type
Price
Bedrooms
Baths
Sq Feet
DOM
45 Eagle Crest Dr #204
Condo
$224,500
1
1
768
166
19160 Redwing Ct
Detached
$650,000
3
2
1471
4
13143 Vermeer Dr
Detached
$699,000
3
2.5
2288
3
855 Palisades Ter
Detached
$849,000
4
2.5
2221
214
17185 Warren Ct
Detached
$920,000
3
2.5
2418
44
2755 Glen Eagles Rd
Detached
$1,000,000
3
2
2162
3
1485 Timberline Dr
Detached
$1,150,000
4
3
3274
38
2747 Glen Haven Rd
Detached
$1,199,000
4
2.5
2966
2
14153 Edenberry Dr
Detached
$1,395,000
4
2.5
3240
3
1178 Tyndall Ct
Detached
$1,850,000
4
3.5
3982
42
4540 Dogwood Dr
Detached
$2,250,000
5
4
5535
233
Sold/Closed March 31-April 6, 2025
Address
Type
List Price
Sold Price
Sq Feet
CDOM
4 Touchstone #90
Condo
$310,000
$310,000
1351
10
107 Kingsgate Rd
Detached
$699,000
$640,000
1516
148
6462 Frost St
Detached
$775,000
$730,000
2279
22
578 2nd St
Detached
$819,000
$775,000
1361
147
11 Touchstone
Detached
$875,000
$890,000
2750
6
550 Northshore Rd
Detached
$1,020,000
$1,020,000
1555
0
4114 Casey Ct
Detached
$1,425,000
$1,310,000
3405
146
425 Kenwood Rd
Detached
$1,395,000
$1,317,000
3527
11
725 Oak Meadow Ct
Detached
$1,555,000
$1,555,000
3753
2
649 9th St
Detached
$2,195,000
$2,095,000
2812
43
1032 Westward Ho
Detached
$2,395,000
$2,162,000
4277
44
850 York Rd
Detached
$4,500,000
$4,425,000
5380
5
876 Northshore Rd
Detached
$5,095,000
$4,600,000
5793
119
3012 Lakeview Blvd
Detached
$4,999,500
$4,999,500
6442
9
Criteria:Homes in the 97034 and 97035 zip code, listed, pending or sold between the dates listed above as reported by the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS). DETACHD refers to Single Family Detached Residence, MFG refers to manufactured housing, and ATTACHD refers to single-family residences with some portion of the structure attached to another property, but not constituting CONDO ownership. DOM stands for days on market, or the number of days from when the listing became active and when it received an acceptable offer, with CDOM standing for “cumulative days on market” accounting for “refreshed” listings
Living in Lake Oswego is an experience of community. That’s why we post these little snippets of activities offered by various groups! Here are my picks for what to do this week in Lake Oswego:
Mon, Apr 7, 2025 – 10:30 AM ~ Early Childhood Music and Movement In Mandarin Chinese (Repeats on Mondays )- This outstanding program is for young learners ages 2-5 ranging from little or no to high levels of fluency in Mandarin. The series includes movement, play, instruments and stories and is sponsored by the Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library and admission is free/first come/first served. 706 Fourth St, Lake Oswego ~ CLICK HERE
Tues, Apr 8 , 2025 – Departure: 11:00 AM ~ Let’s Do Lunch!– Bring a group of friends or get to know your neighbors ! – This event happens once a month, and this April 8th you’ll enjoy authentic German cuisine at Otto & Anita’s Schnitzelhaus – Depart from: ACC, 505 G Ave, Lake Oswego More Info: CLICK HERE
Wed, Apr 9, 2025 – 10:30 AM (weekly on Wednesdays) ~Toddler Story Time ~ Bring your 2-3-year-old and have fun reading stories together and singing songs! ~ Lake Oswego Library/Children’s Library, 706 Fourth St, Lake Oswego ~ More Info :CLICK HERE
Thurs, Apr 10, 2025 – 5:45-8:00 PM ~Year of The Oak: Arborist Workshop & Film Screening ~Come join this free learning opportunity and film screening all about White Oaks! Doors open at 5:45 and event begins at 6:00. Refreshment purchases available/encouraged. Pre-registration required. ~ Lake Theater & Cafe, 106 N State St, Lake Oswego ~ More Info :CLICK HERE
Fri, Apr 11, 2025 – 6:00-8:00 PM ~Outside the Art Room – Teen Art Showcase + Auction~ Support local artists & benefit Children’s Healing Art Project (CHAP) by attending this exciting and worthwhile event. Enjoy live music, amazing art, kids art clinic & so much more! Applications for artists are open now. ~CCP, 1060 Chandler Rd, Lake Oswego ~ More Info:CLICK HERE
Sat, Apr 12, 2024 – 3:00PM-4:00PM (repeats on 2nd & 4th-Saturdays)– Lego Club ~ Open to Parents & K-5- Bring your kids for a Lego Adventure! Lego bricks & Labels to name your artwork provided. All creations stay on display till the next Lego Club! ~ Lake Oswego Library/Lower Level, 706 Fourth St, Lake Oswego ~ More Info :CLICK HERE
Last week Lake Oswego logged 18 properties entering the market, 25 moving to Pending status and 13 that Closed/Sold. Right now there are 166 properties available ranging from $224,500 to $11,900,000.
Here is the breakdown:
NEW March 24-30, 2025
Address
List Price
Beds
Baths
SF
Prop Type
20 GREENRIDGE CT
$325,000
1
1
765
CONDO
4679 DOGWOOD DR
$395,000
1
1.1
1252
CONDO
200 BURNHAM RD #103
$485,000
3
2
1596
ATTACHD
19239 BENFIELD AVE
$650,000
3
2
1471
DETACHD
731 BRIERCLIFF LN
$799,000
3
2
1976
DETACHD
94 GARIBALDI ST
$820,000
3
3
2158
DETACHD
4378 ALBERT CIR
$825,000
3
2.1
2498
CONDO
4160 WESTBAY RD
$979,000
3
3
2619
DETACHD
4212 SOUTHSHORE BLVD
$1,050,000
5
3
2744
DETACHD
19160 REDWING CT
$1,200,000
3
2.1
2360
DETACHD
4932 MULHOLLAND DR
$1,399,000
5
4
3129
DETACHD
764 10TH ST
$1,465,000
4
3
2850
DETACHD
4674 Chelsea LN
$1,490,000
4
3
3723
DETACHD
2147 GLENMORRIE LN
$1,550,000
4
3
2580
DETACHD
5062 FOOTHILLS DR , A
$1,750,000
5
3.2
4351
DETACHD
15868 PARKER RD
$1,999,000
4
2.1
3148
DETACHD
18715 INDIAN CREEK DR
$2,250,000
5
3.1
3773
DETACHD
2580 DELLWOOD DR
$3,995,000
5
5.1
6234
DETACHD
PENDING March 24-30, 2025
Address
List Price
Beds
Baths
SF
Prop Type
Days
3520 LAKE GROVE AVE
$199,000
1
1
552
CONDO
82
16855 FERNWOOD DR
$325,000
1
1
765
CONDO
3
8 MORNINGVIEW CIR
$325,000
3
2.1
1351
CONDO
65
13636 GOODALL RD
$330,000
3
2
1222
CONDO
185
21 D AVE #4
$359,000
3
2.1
1282
CONDO
73
5316 LOWER DR
$534,900
3
2
1252
CONDO
24
3868 BOTTICELLI ST #28
$549,000
2
2
1364
CONDO
8
875 LEE ST
$749,900
3
2
1506
DETACHD
62
1 WALKING WOODS DR
$767,500
4
2.1
2016
DETACHD
201
5881 FERNBROOK CIR
$769,998
3
2.1
2206
DETACHD
187
5057 FOOTHILLS DR, H
$785,000
3
2.1
2264
DETACHD
8
200 BURNHAM RD #103
$790,000
4
3
3864
DETACHD
32
4 TOUCHSTONE #69
$799,900
3
3
1416
DETACHD
4
4583 TRILLIUM WOODS
$809,000
3
2.1
2004
ATTACHD
49
731 BRIERCLIFF LN
$845,000
4
3
2735
DETACHD
366
4378 ALBERT CIR
$899,900
4
2.1
3324
DETACHD
34
17720 OVERLOOK CIR
$1,050,000
5
3
2744
DETACHD
2
62 GALEN ST / Upper
$1,050,000
4
3
2982
ATTACHD
28
30 HILLSHIRE DR
$1,160,000
4
2.1
3887
DETACHD
5
15 MASARYK ST
$1,285,000
3
2.1
2528
DETACHD
11
15960 PARKER RD
$1,490,000
4
3
3723
DETACHD
2
16011 PARKER RD
$1,949,000
4
3.1
3624
DETACHD
565
4057 JEFFERSON PKWY
$1,998,900
4
3.1
3593
DETACHD
13
100 LEONARD ST #3-3
$2,350,000
2
2.1
2279
CONDO
629
5525 CHILDS RD
$2,588,000
4
4.1
4497
DETACHD
112
SOLD/CLOSED March 24-30, 2025
Address
Opening
Closed
Beds
Baths
SF
Prop Type
Days
45 EAGLE CREST DR #119
$265,000
$259,000
3
2
1348
CONDO
45
20 GREENRIDGE CT
$485,000
$508,000
3
2
1596
ATTACHD
0
3569 SUNWOOD CT
$799,900
$700,000
3
1.1
1350
DETACHD
21
4466 GALEWOOD ST
$799,000
$807,500
3
2.1
2002
DETACHD
1
5051 TUALATA LN
$799,900
$850,000
3
2
1581
DETACHD
7
313 3RD ST
$985,000
$999,900
3
3.1
1927
ATTACHD
2
17479 BROOKHURST DR
$1,260,000
$1,135,000
4
2.1
3711
DETACHD
138
50 HILLSHIRE DR
$1,375,000
$1,373,860
4
2.1
3188
DETACHD
5
2580 DELLWOOD DR
$1,465,000
$1,465,000
4
3
2850
DETACHD
0
5225 FIRWOOD RD
$1,575,000
$1,550,000
3
2.1
3240
DETACHD
4
52 LEONARD ST
$2,350,000
$1,745,000
4
5
3390
ATTACHD
33
4965 SW Park Bluff PL
$2,595,000
$2,099,000
5
4.1
4568
DETACHD
484
13084 AMBER PL
$4,500,000
$4,250,000
3
3
5685
DETACHD
22
Criteria: Homes in the 97034 and 97035 zip code, listed, pending or sold between the dates listed above as reported by the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS). DETACHD refers to Single Family Detached Residence, MFG refers to manufactured housing, and ATTACHD refers to single-family residences with some portion of the structure attached to another property, but not constituting CONDO ownership. DOM stands for days on market, or the number of days from when the listing became active and when it received an acceptable offer, with CDOM standing for “cumulative days on market” accounting for “refreshed” listings (***We’ve used “Days” in each category for ease of understanding) .
Lake Oswego is all about themwater…in so many ways! Celebrate National Drinking Water Week, May 4-10, (yes, there is such a thing : ) by taking a tour of Lake Oswego’s Water Treatment Plant. We are lucky enough to have one of the highest quality water sources int he state, the Clackamas River, and the Lake Oswego Public Works Department works 24 hours a day every day of the year to make sure the water you rely on is there for you. Sneak a peak behind the scenes! Learn more HERE.
Last week in Lake Oswego there were 8 properties that entered the market. Of those, 3 sold quickly and appear in this report as pending sales. 18 properties accepted offers and went into pending status. 9 properties closed escrow and are now sold.
See below for RMLS data.
New on the Market March 17-23, 2025
Address
Type
Price
Bedroooms
Baths
Sq Feet
180 Oswego Summit
Condo
$299,990
2
2
1338
3450 Childs Rd
Detached
$648,000
2
1
1835
2760 Overlook Dr
Detached
$825,000
4
2.5
2441
1275 Hide A Way Ln
Detached
$2,390,000
4
3.5
2656
5662 Lakeview Blvd
Detached
$1,834,900
4
3
3398
Pending March 17-23, 2025
Address
Type
Price
Bedroooms
Baths
Sq Feet
DOM
4390 Thundervista Ln
Condo
$370,000
2
2.5
1684
242
5053 Foothills Dr C
Condo
$425,000
3
2
1252
124
4382 Woodside Cir
Attached
$539,000
2
2
1248
4
16748 Lake Forest Blvd
Detached
$589,000
3
1
1076
5
16808 Inverurie Rd
Detached
$645,000
3
2
1182
19
4321 Collins Way
Detached
$719,000
3
2
2184
25
1818 Country Club Rd
Detached
$724,900
4
2
32
32
4664 Firwood Rd
Detached
$775,000
3
2
1552
13
5830 Burma Rd
Detached
$895,000
4
2
1874
9
13043 Rogers Rd
Detached
$925,000
4
2
1874
9
8 Del Prado St
Detached
$1,099,000
5
3
3788
22
4114 Casey St
Detached
$1,350,000
5
2.5
3405
146
5527 Dunmire Dr
Detached
$1,350,000
5
2.5
3464
11
17401 Tree Top Ln
Detached
$1,350,000
4
3
2897
4
17418 Brookhurst Dr
Detached
$1,449,000
4
3.5
4164
185
17960 Meadowlark Ln
Detached
$1,525,000
4
3.5
3410
1
17815 Pilkington Rd
Detached
$1,650,000
4
4.5
3001
24
490 G Ave
Detached
$2,149,900
4
3.5
2977
188
Sold/Closed March 17-23, 2025
Address
Type
List Price
Closed Price
Sq Feet
CDOM
47 Eagle Crest Dr #4
Condo
$256,000
$270,000
932
5
38 Cervantes Cir
Condo
$299,950
$293,000
912
49
6338 Washington Ct
Detached
$800,000
$800,000
1588
0
17640 Tree Top Way
Detached
$869,000
$879,000
2718
3
4968 Bilford Ln
Detached
$1,049,950
$1,050,000
2365
3
15988 White Oaks Dr
Detached
$1,099,000
$1,109,000
2761
2
16900 Gassner Ln
Detached
$1,649,998
$1,622,500
3953
18
4672 Winthrop Ct
Detached
$1,790,000
$1,790,000
4161
0
3119 Douglas Cir
Detached
$3,295,000
$2,675,000
6524
985
Criteria:Homes in the 97034 and 97035 zip code, listed, pending or sold between the dates listed above as reported by the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS). DETACHD refers to Single Family Detached Residence, MFG refers to manufactured housing, and ATTACHD refers to single-family residences with some portion of the structure attached to another property, but not constituting CONDO ownership. DOM stands for days on market, or the number of days from when the listing became active and when it received an acceptable offer, with CDOM standing for “cumulative days on market” accounting for “refreshed” listings.
Lake Oswego is a pretty special town. There is no neighborhood in LO that I would not want to live, but there are also a few neighborhoods that are true standouts. At the top of that list, for me, is First Addition.
What makes it so special is its proximity to all of the fun stuff: stores, restaurants, transit, the library, the Adult Community Center, the Gallery Without Walls, and Tryon Creek State Park. It’s vibrant!
Today’s featured property sits in the heart of First Addition at the corner of 6th and G. Built in 1952, the house has 3662 square feet with 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 fireplaces, and a solarium. The lot is oversized at approximately 9800 square feet. There is a large detached garage and room for boat or RV parking. Very well maintained, including new PEX plumbing, the house is in need of cosmetic upgrades. Priced at $1,450,000, this is your opportunity to remodel or redevelop in one of the best locations that LO has to offer.
Bring your kids and stop in to the Lake Oswego Public Library any day March 24th-28th 10AM till 7PM to join Sarah Walker in creating your own vision of what a box could become! It’s the Cardboard Building Project! CLICK HERE for more info : )
Last week Lake Oswego welcomed 17 properties to the marketplace, with 13 moving to Pending status and 13 that Closed/Sold. There are currently 154 properties available and they range from $199,000 to $8,800,000.
Here is the breakdown:
NEW March 10-16, 2025
Address
List Price
Beds
Baths
SF
Prop Type
44 EAGLE CREST DR #7
$299,900
3
2
1085
CONDO
3956 CARMAN DR
$399,900
2
2.1
1107
CONDO
5225 JEAN RD $507
$440,000
3
2
1400
CONDO
16748 LAKE FOREST BLVD
$589,000
3
1
1076
DETACHD
5830 BURMA RD
$895,000
4
2
1874
DETACHD
4663 TRILLIUM WOODS
$919,000
3
2.1
2276
ATTACHD
136 DEL PRADO ST
$950,000
5
3
3188
DETACHD
76 CONDOLEA WAY / Main
$998,000
3
3
2746
CONDO
13305 FOX RUN
$1,110,000
3
3
2564
DETACHD
5904 BAY POINT DR
$1,150,000
5
2.1
3433
DETACHD
15960 PARKER RD
$1,285,000
3
2.1
2528
DETACHD
5527 DUNMIRE DR
$1,350,000
4
3
3464
DETACHD
17401 TREE TOP LN
$1,350,000
4
3
2897
DETACHD
2188 GLENMORRIE LN
$1,379,865
5
3
3250
DETACHD
17960 MEADOWLARK LN
$1,525,000
4
3.1
3410
DETACHD
5650 LAKEVIEW BLVD
$1,849,000
4
3
3502
DETACHD
875 LEE ST
$1,998,900
4
3.1
3593
DETACHD
PENDING March 10-16, 2025
Address
List Price
Beds
Baths
SF
Prop Type
Days
44 EAGLE CREST DR #15
$205,000
1
1
798
CONDO
150
45 EAGLE CREST DR #119
$265,000
3
2
1348
CONDO
45
3956 CARMAN DR
$399,900
2
2.1
1107
CONDO
3
15215 BOONES WAY
$579,000
3
2.1
1600
ATTACHD
120
17867 SUNDOWN CT
$849,900
3
3.1
2799
DETACHD
21
11 TOUCHSTONE
$875,000
4
3.1
2750
DETACHD
6
4663 TRILLIUM WOODS
$919,000
3
2.1
2276
ATTACHD
3
25 DA VINCI ST
$925,000
3
3
3026
DETACHD
336
425 KENWOOD RD
$1,395,000
3
2.1
3527
DETACHD
11
2757 RIVENDELL RD
$1,499,000
4
3.1
3936
DETACHD
50
5236 LOWER DR
$1,650,000
4
2.1
3306
DETACHD
11
17901 Tamara AVE
$1,748,000
4
3
3257
DETACHD
120
4965 SW Park Bluff PL
$2,099,000
5
4.1
4568
DETACHD
484
CLOSED/SOLD March 10-16, 2025
Address
Opening
Closed
Beds
Baths
SF
Prop Type
Days
12 CERVANTES CIR
$325,000
$285,000
2
1.1
912
CONDO
191
48 EAGLE CREST DR 4E
$375,000
$365,000
2
2
1489
CONDO
89
206 OSWEGO SUMMIT Bld25
$429,900
$420,000
2
2
1550
CONDO
7
302 LAUREL ST
$799,000
$775,000
3
2
1988
DETACHD
64
4513 OAKRIDGE RD
$829,900
$775,000
3
2.1
1974
ATTACHD
172
4511 OAKRIDGE RD
$899,000
$875,000
3
2.1
2129
ATTACHD
177
2705 GLEN EAGLES RD
$949,000
$949,000
3
2.1
2249
DETACHD
2
1100 SCHUKART LN
$999,900
$1,187,000
4
2.1
3113
DETACHD
3
3037 TOLKIEN LN
$1,350,000
$1,310,000
4
3
3159
DETACHD
13
2188 GLENMORRIE LN
$1,379,865
$1,379,865
5
3
3250
DETACHD
0
18336 WESTVIEW DR
$1,575,000
$1,625,000
4
4
4921
DETACHD
3
54 LEONARD ST
$2,350,000
$1,703,000
4
5
3390
ATTACHD
34
13770 GOODALL RD
$4,699,000
$4,100,000
5
4.1
5891
DETACHD
370
Criteria: Homes in the 97034 and 97035 zip code, listed, pending or sold between the dates listed above as reported by the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS). DETACHD refers to Single Family Detached Residence, MFG refers to manufactured housing, and ATTACHD refers to single-family residences with some portion of the structure attached to another property, but not constituting CONDO ownership. DOM stands for days on market, or the number of days from when the listing became active and when it received an acceptable offer, with CDOM standing for “cumulative days on market” accounting for “refreshed” listings (***We’ve used “Days” in each category for ease of understanding) .
If you follow local news, you have likely seen and heard articles about the controversy over public access to Oswego Lake. 13 years ago a local gentleman began a court battle to allow public access to the lake. After winding through various courts, a judge deemed that the lake, because it is navigable, is a public waterway. Over the past week or so, various kayakers and paddle boaters have been accessing and using the lake.
I feel like I see this from both sides. There’s an inherent philosophy in Oregon that water belongs to everyone. Oregon historically deemed many years ago that beaches on the coast are public and not private. If you can get to the sand, you can walk on the sand. This seems to mostly hold true for rivers, creeks and lakes as well. Certainly some bodies of water are so small that they are merely scenic and not useful for recreation. I’ve been in many homes that have small streams in their yards and no one would question that the property owner does not have to allow all of the neighborhood on their property to wade in the little stream. Their right to private use is just not questioned.
I think that this is the basis for the controversy over the lake.
Oswego Lake historically was a very small body of water. Much of it was marshy. It was enlarged and improved by the Oregon Iron and Steel Company beginning in 1850 (before Oregon was even a state). The purpose for the enlargement was to create a dam and to power the steel company’s manufacturing efforts. They cleared out the marshes and excavated to allow water to come in from the Tualatin River, to flow the length of the lake, and to exit via a dam to the Willamette River. With these efforts, the lake very much became navigable. But bear in mind that most of the lake is man made. It is also currently man maintained.
Silt and debris fills the lake. It takes man to remove the silt and to keep the water as clean as possible.
In 1942 the Oregon Iron and Steel Company deeded the lake bed and the rim of the lake to the Lake Oswego Corporation. The Lake Corp is privately funded by the people who have access to the lake via living on it or having deeded easement rights to it. The funds come from annual assessments that are privately paid and do not involve public money, such as property taxes. It is completely funded, privately.
If you buy a house on the lake you have a one-time fee of about $7500 and then annual dues of several hundred dollars. The easements are less expensive with one-time fees of $500-$3500, and then annual dues of several hundred dollars. There are about 4000 households in Lake Oswego with access to the lake.
In the many years that I have lived in Lake Oswego I have watched the water quality deteriorate and then be improved. For decades people dropped grass clippings into the water. Add to that the run off from fertilized lawns, and it created a smelly mess. The Lake Corp stepped in. They established rules to stop the behavior that was creating the problem. They put in several aerators at various locations to infuse the water with air. Several years ago they drained the lake and excavated the silt from the bottom of the lake.
The Lake Corp has a paid staff of eight people. To put anything into the lake, even a paddle board, you have to have the vessel inspected and then pay an annual licensing fee. This helps assure that invasive species don’t contaminate the water. The Lake Corp also has a security boat that patrols the lake during heavy use to assure that only licensed crafts are on the lake and to insure the use of life vests.
All of this is done at no cost to the public.
My question now is this. If the public has access, will the public start paying for the cost of maintaining the lake? Do people in Portland, Beaverton and Oregon City want to be taxed to maintain the water?
Yes, I understand the logic of seeing a body of water and feeling like everyone should be able to use it. But the situation at Oswego Lake is pretty unique. I don’t have the answer here, but it will certainly be interesting to see how it plays out. I also hope that people who use the lake will take every precaution to stay safe. I am aware of at least one incident in which someone chose to swim across the lake and got severely injured by a power boat. Is the public aware that if you are not in a boat you need to stay between to buoys and the shore line? Bottom line, in my opinion, is that if the public is going to use the lake, they need to start paying the cost of the upkeep, and they need to know the rules for safety if they go into the water.