Norm's Resort Becomes County Property Today -- Cottage Lake Site Will Become Park

WOODINVILLE

Norm's Resort, the popular private swimming hole and picnic spot on Cottage Lake, formally becomes King County property today.

The land purchase, for $1.8 million, has been under negotiation for months. It was one of the major purchases authorized by the open-space bond issue approved by voters in 1989.

County Executive Tim Hill and County Councilwoman Audrey Gruger were scheduled to make a formal announcement of the purchase of the property this morning at the park site, on Woodinville-Duvall Road.

If all goes well, the park could open by next summer, said county spokesman John Chelminiak.

Chelminiak said the property was purchased from a private resort company, American Adventures, which was in bankruptcy. At the time it was placed on the open-space bond, residents had feared the lakefront property would be sold to a private developer.

Norm's Resort was owned by Norm Fragner and his wife, Georgianna, from 1942 to 1979.