McKay Lake Open Space

South of 144th Avenue and east of Zuni Street.

This 61.9 acre lake is the focal point of the 120 acre McKay Lake Open Space. McKay Lake is the 2nd largest lake in Westminster (after Standley Lake).

A 1.5 mile trail encircles the lake. The north side of the lake is dominated by a wonderful grove of mature cottonwood trees. The trail passes through this area and leads to a floating fishing pier which has great lake and mountain views. A trail head parking lot is located on the north side of the lake at the southwest corner of 144th Avenue and Tejon Street.

A dam and spillway form part of the eastern shoreline. The dam and spillway were rebuilt in 2005 to enhance dam safety. The city took great care to build the new dam south of the old dam to preserve the ancient cottonwood trees. Huge homes in the Lexington Shores subdivision overlook the east side of lake. Willow thickets and an occasional cottonwood tree provide wildlife habitat near the shoreline. The sweeping views to the west across the lake are very dramatic.

On the south shore, huge cottonwood trees along shoreline provide welcome shade for trail users. A secondary parking lot is located at the southwest corner of the lake. A large expanse of cattails edge the shallow western side of the lake.

McKay Lake is a magnet for wildlife, especially birds. In fact, McKay Lake was a fishing and hunting club until the lake was bought by the city for open space in 2000. Many types of waterfowl can be found at the lake including ducks, geese, bald eagles and white pelicans. Redwing blackbirds nest in the cattail areas.

In 2008, the city bought 2.92 acres of land at the southeast corner of 144th Avenue/Zuni Street to create an open space buffer with Broomfield to the west.

This open space provides great lake views from Zuni Street. Along 144th Avenue, 1,980 linear feet of open space are preserved.

McKay Lake is deservedly one of the city’s most popular open space properties.