Lake Sammamish State Park hasn’t had any major improvements since the ‘70s said Peter Herzog, partnerships and planning program manager at Washington State Parks.

And, with the state parks budget $42 million in the hole, and Discover Pass (fee to use the parks) revenue coming in at 50 percent of what had been projected, fixing any park in the state is a challenge.

Community members filled Tibbetts Creek Manor on Monday night to brainstorm ideas that will support and improve the 512-acre park.

The meeting was sponsored by the city of Issaquah’s Economic Vitality Commission. State Parks staff and staff from the city gave presentations and asked for input from those gathered in the hall.

Daniel Farber, policy director and tribal liaison for State Parks said the primary income for the parks system is derived from donations, Discover Passes and one-time capital transfers.

“The variability of Discover Pass income makes it difficult to predict cash flow,” Farber said.

Farber said 100 percent operational self support is not going to happen. Transferring or closing parks isn’t an option either, as it reduces the value of the product (parks) and what he referred to as a “fiscal spiral” would kick in. Faber noted that there are some mix of closures – seasonal or campgrounds – which save money. But closing Lake Sammamish State Park, would only encourage vandalism and destruction, he said.

In 2007, the commission adopted a redevelopment and restoration plan for the once-thriving park. Although the plan enjoyed broad public support, State Parks has struggled to find government funding and private investment necessary to make the improvements.

Farber said staffing for the park system has been reduced from the equivalent of from 595 employees to 325 and mid-management has been decimated.

Keith Niven, director of economic development for the city of Issaquah said the park is under-utilized. The state and city executed a memorandum of understanding to improve the park, but no plan exists. To bring in some revenue for the park, Niven outlined four sources: State capital and operating support, park enterprise and business partnerships, intergovernmental partnerships and philanthropic support. All of these ideas were explored.

For enterprise in the park, residents came up with partnering with local nonprofits; kayak, stand-up paddle or zip-line tours; coffee stands; an outdoor amphitheater; and regattas. Several people talked about and supported the idea of disc golf, a relatively new sport that doesn’t harm the environment.

Intergovernmental partnerships would include tribal outreach and education.

John Mullen, a lifelong resident of Issaquah and a member of the Snoqualmie Tribe, had criticisms of the process.

“I’m hurt because we weren’t mentioned,” Mullen said. “I was born and raised in this town – 57 years – and it was a rough town to be brought up in. We’re insulted and I hope you guys are proud of yourselves – you didn’t even ask for our help.

“We used to get food from the wetlands, we still have artifacts down there, but you don’t care. And this is how you treat the Native Americans. It’s a beautiful piece of property. I know this lake better than most of you. We’re proud people. We help. Not only do we feed our own, we feed other people.”

You could have heard a pin drop.

Herzog acknowledged Mullen’s testimony and took the lump.

“We should have taken the first step to talk to the tribe,” he said.

Other ideas floated were to somehow involve the park in Salmon Days and perhaps have a cultural center. A cafe in the park was suggested, as well as brick paths with bricks paid for by donors.

Under philanthropic support, it was suggested perhaps a staff member could be devoted to connecting with potential donors, possibly corporate sponsors such as Microsoft and REI. Several sign up sheets were passed around to create a “Friend of the Park” organization.

Some residents did not support using the park to create revenue and encouraged the parks and city representatives to leave it be.

The next steps the two bodies will take is to explore some of the ideas brought up, check in with the friends group, develop a proposal, come up with a financial strategy, check in with the state environmental policy act and seek various other approvals.

Once a final proposal is made, it will go to the seven-member Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and the Issaquah City Council. Annexation of the park into the city would make it easier for the city to provide funding, and help with ingress/egress issues, but a traffic analysis would have to be done.