Living Near the Water: Lake Lotawana, Longview Lake and Lake Jacomo
Which lakes are near Lee’s Summit, and how are they different?
Short answer: There are two kinds of lake living around here. Public lakes, like Longview Lake and Lake Jacomo, belong to Jackson County Parks + Rec and are open to everyone. Private lake communities, like Lake Lotawana, Lakewood and Raintree Lake, are run by associations, and the lake access comes with the property. Buying near the water is a different kind of purchase from buying a home in a regular subdivision, so it pays to know the differences before you tour.
Longview Lake
Longview Lake is about 930 acres inside a 4,852-acre Jackson County park. It has a beach, a marina, trails and a campground. It’s a public lake, so you don’t need to live on it to use it.
Lake Jacomo
Lake Jacomo sits inside Fleming Park, which covers about 7,809 acres. The lake itself is about 970 acres. It’s known for sailing, fishing and wooded trails, and Fleming Park also holds Blue Springs Lake and Missouri Town 1855, a living-history village. Like Longview Lake, Lake Jacomo is public and run by Jackson County Parks + Rec.
Lake Lotawana
Lake Lotawana is a private lake community east of Lee’s Summit. According to the city, it was incorporated in 1958 and its lake is about 480 acres with 27 miles of shoreline. The Lake Lotawana Association owns and manages the lake and common areas, and owners pay dues and assessments to the association. The city handles the sewer system and the roads that aren’t around the lake itself, and the association oversees the roads around the lake.
That’s a good example of why we read the documents on every lake home. Who maintains the road, the dock, the seawall or the sewer depends on exactly where the house sits and which association or city is responsible.
Lakewood and Raintree Lake, inside Lee’s Summit
- Lakewood is a master-planned community built around two private lakes, run by the Lakewood Property Owners Association, with amenities like marinas, a beach, pools and golf.
- Raintree Lake, in south Lee’s Summit, centers on a privately owned lake of about 235 acres with more than 2,000 properties and its own property owners’ association.
Some neighborhoods inside these communities also have their own sub-HOAs, so there may be more than one set of dues and rules.
What to ask before you buy near the water
These are the questions we put on our list for any lake home:
- What do the dues and assessments cover, and how have they changed? We’ll pull the association documents early.
- What are the rules for docks, boats and shoreline changes? They can vary by community.
- Who maintains the road, the seawall and the dock? Don’t assume.
- Is the home on public sewer or a septic system? Ask for records.
- What does insurance look like? Get quotes early, and ask about flood zone status.
- What can you actually use? On a private lake, access is for association members. On a public lake, it’s open to everyone.
Try it before you buy it
If you’re not sure whether lake life is for you, spend a Saturday at Longview Lake or Lake Jacomo first. Pack a lunch, walk the shoreline, and see how it feels. Then drive through Lakewood, Raintree Lake and Lake Lotawana and see which one feels right.
What this means for you
If you’re looking at homes near the water, tell us. We know the associations, we’ll pull the documents early, and we’ll flag the details that matter. Tell us what you’re looking for or talk to us. You can also read more on our Lee’s Summit community page.
Sources
- Jackson County Parks + Rec, Longview Lake. https://www.makeyourdayhere.com/Parks-Lakes/Longview-Lake
- Jackson County Parks + Rec, Lake Jacomo / Fleming Park. https://www.makeyourdayhere.com/Parks-Lakes/Lake-Jacomo
- City of Lake Lotawana, About Lake Lotawana. https://lakelotawana.org/about-lake-lotawana
- Lake Lotawana Association. https://lakelotawana.net/
- Lakewood Property Owners Association. https://lpoa.com/
- Raintree Lake Property Owners Association, About. https://rlpoa.com/about/
Frequently asked questions
Which lakes are near Lee's Summit?
Longview Lake and Lake Jacomo are public Jackson County lakes on the edge of Lee's Summit. Lake Lotawana is a private lake community just east of town. Inside Lee's Summit, Lakewood and Raintree Lake are private lake communities with their own property owners' associations.
What should I ask before buying a home on a private lake?
Ask about association dues and assessments, the rules for docks, boats and shoreline, who maintains the roads and seawalls, whether the home is on sewer or septic, and what lake or flood-related insurance is needed. We pull the association documents early on every lake home.
