With the City of Sammamish, already undergoing a thorough overhaul, in the form of the proposed town center, the Shoreline Master Plan process, and improvements to East Lake Sammamish Parkway, it will soon have another important project to consider — Beaver Lake Park.

The Beaver Lake Park Master Plan will develop the guidelines by which the city will manage development at the park.

Over the past few years, small improvements have been made at the park on an as-needed basis. The motivation for the master plan is to look at the park as a whole in a comprehensive manner through a process which involves the Sammamish community.

It is hoped the master plan will identify and understand possible uses of the park, to ensure that it continues to serve the recreational needs of the city.

The city invites community interest and participation, in order to provide the most accurate picture of future needs and improvements.

Last month the city engaged the services of The Berger Partnership, a Seattle-based group of landscape architects and designers, urban planners, and graphic designers, to complete a site investigation including preparation of a base map, wetland and stream reconnaissance, and report on the park’s opportunities and constraints.

The city allocated $125,000 in the 2009 budget to complete the plan. The 2010 budget has $1,750,000 allocated for initial improvements.

Susan Johnson, who lives a few streets from the park, said that a few improvements could make the park more attractive to the community.

“As a mom with two boys, I would love to see a water area, like they have in Bellevue. It would be another alternative to going to Pine Lake for the kids to cool off in the summer.”

At Tuesday night’s City Council study session, councillors heard early input on some issues at the lake, ahead of a more thorough stakeholders meeting on Monday, March 23. That meeting will focus on active and programmed recreation.

A second stakeholders meeting, looking at environmental and passive recreation, will be held the following evening.

The plan will also address parking, opportunities for water activities, and natural resource management.

The park was transferred to the City from King County in January 2003.

It contains a pavilion and the Beaver Lake Lodge, three ball fields, an off leash area, a picnic shelter and play structure, as well as 1,900 lineal feet of shoreline along Beaver Lake.

The meetings, listed below, will allow residents to ask questions and share their thoughts and concerns regarding the project.

• Stakeholder Meeting #1 – Monday, March 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m.,

• Stakeholder Meeting #2 – Tuesday, March 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m.,

• Public Meeting #1 – Wednesday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m.,

•Public Meeting #2 – Wednesday, June 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Beaver Lake Lodge.

• Public Meeting #3 – To be determined

In addition to attending meetings, residents can supply input by going to www.ci.sammamish.wa.us/BeaverLake.aspx and completing an online survey. Project Manager Anjali Myer can be contacted at amyer@ci.sammamish.wa.us or 425-295-0581.