Lake Sammamish State Park has received $3.5 million for improvement projects in the 2013-15 state capital budget.

“When the session began back in January, this was one of my top priorities,” said Sen. Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah.

$2.9 million will be used to construct a new bathhouse and picnic shelter with the balance to go toward the restoration of Sunset Beach and the addition of a concession stand.

Mullet said money needs to be invested into Lake Sammamish State Park because it’s one of the few urban state parks, easily accessible, not requiring a day or weekend trip to enjoy it. The capital budget also provided funds for improvements at Tiger Mountain and $5 million in funding for the North Issaquah Local Improvement District (LID 25) which will ease traffic flow through the Pickering Place business area.