In early 2018, immediately surrounding the park was slated to be logged by its private owner, the Nelson Land Corporation. There was immediate local public outcry over the plans and calls for the local and regional government to intervene. Local residents expressed their opposition to the plans through letter writing campaigns, petitions, and social media. A public meeting was held in Nelson on December 19, 2018, at which there was testimony from experts, concerns from citizens, and possible alternatives were discussed. The Cottonwood Lake Preservation Society was formed to help with fundraising efforts and encouraged citizens to write to elected officials in the region. Negotiations began with the landowner and the RDCK in July 2018 and concluded with an agreement for the RDCK to purchase the land for C$450,000 ($250,000 of which was provided by a grant from the
Columbia Basin Trust). The land was added to the park which increased its size to the current size of . ==See also==