Design plans for a new all-accessible playground at Lake Sammamish State Park will be unveiled at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 during an open house at Gibson Hall, 105 Newport Way S.W., Issaquah.

The open house is hosted by Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park.

Currently there are two playgrounds at the park, both of which are considered outdated, uninspiring and not up to current standards for safety or accessibility. The new playground, not yet funded, will be accessible for all ages and abilities.

The playground will have challenging play structures that encourage climbing and imagination, water features, a zip line, and some environmental education components. A giant heron, representing the park’s well-known heron rookery, is being designed to trigger a spray of water when children walk by. Picnic tables and benches will be included.

The new playground will be closer to the new bathhouse currently under construction, and will add to landscaping and walkways designed to further redevelopment of the main beach at the state park.

In addition to the bathhouse, new sand is planned for Sunset Beach, and a sand box for children will be built along with new volleyball pits. The park also has received funding for fishing/boating docks at Sunset Beach.

“We hope the playground will be the best in King County, if not the state,” said Debbie Berto, board member of Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park. “It will be a true destination for families.”

Next step will be fundraising to make the playground a reality. Early estimates are that up to $700,000 will be needed for the playground and the necessary site work.

The playground design work was paid for by a $20,000 grant from the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah.