The city of Bonney Lake June 23 received the deed on 40 acres of land in the former Washington State University demonstration forest.

Weyerhaeuser and Washington State University deeded the land to the city as a public resource to become trails, parkland, open space and potentially a location for a YMCA or other community recreation center.

The land transfer is part of a larger agreement signed in 2009, which led to the zoning changes to allow construction within the former forest land.

“The deeding of this land is a culmination of one aspect of this joint endeavor with Weyerhaeuser and WSU that will result in a truly unique opportunity for the development (of) recreational opportunities in the mid-town area of the city,” Bonney Lake Mayor Neil Johnson said in a press release. “I am pleased to accept this deed on behalf of the city of Bonney Lake.”

Pete Lymberis, assistant vice-president for the Quadrant Corporation praised the project as one that will benefit city residents.

“This project provides a great opportunity for the city of Bonney Lake to make the best use of this property,” he said.

Upon transfer of deed, the next step is for the city to continue its efforts to make the forest more accessible to the public. Presently, the park is open to public use. A trailhead is located near the back of the Fred Meyer store on state Route 410.