Residents of Sammamish will be asked to share their “hopes, dreams and fears” about the SE Eighth Street Park master plan at a meeting from 6:30-8:30 Jan.11 at City Hall.

Thanks to a donation of land, the community has the opportunity to create a master plan for a new park in the geographical center of the city. An initial 16-acre parcel is already open to the public, but an additional 20 acres will pass into city hands within five to seven years. The master plan will encompass all 36 acres.

The gift of land, the largest in city history, came courtesy of longtime Sammamish resident Mary Pigott. In addition to the 36 acres that will be part of the master plan, she also is planning to donate another 15 acres around 2026. The donations are being made with the understanding that the open space will be maintained as a passive park.

“If people want a glimpse of what the future holds, they should go to the part that’s already open,” Parks Director Jessi Richardson said. “It’s trees, ponds, meadows – a perfect place to walk and enjoy nature. The entrance is located at the intersection of 218th Avenue Southeast and Southeast Eighth Street.”

Since Pigott did not want the park to carry her name, a naming contest will be held in the spring.

More information is on that and other facets of the public process is available at www.ci.sammamish.wa.us.