New beach house graces shore of Lake Sammamish
A beautiful new beach house stands at Sunset Beach at Lake Sammamish State Park.
Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park President Chris Kovak, State Senator Mark Mullet, Issaquah Mayor Fred Butler, Representative Chad Magandanz, and State Parks Ranger Rich Benson cut the ribbon on the new beach house on July 7th.
The sustainably-crafted beach house, a project 10 years in the making, boasts unique solar panels, rainwater collectors, planted rooftop, and siding of reclaimed redwood delineating spaces for community events, bathrooms, showers and changing rooms. The new green design, by architect Chris Patano, will be used for future structures throughout the park.
The beach house is part of a multi-year effort to improve Lake Sammamish State Park. Planned enhancements to the swimming beach in 2016 will be new sand and a ramp to allow people with disabilities access to the water. Future projects include new docks to allow boat access and separate swimmers, fishing areas, and boat traffic, as well an esplanade connecting Sunset Beach to Tibbetts Beach and a boardwalk connecting Sunset Beach to Issaquah Creek.
Washington State Parks and the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust continue to carry out ecological restoration throughout the park. Early shoreline restoration at Sunset Beach was completed in 2009, with native trees and plants and large woody debris installation along the lakeshore to improve salmon habitat and water quality. Future plans include significant shoreline restoration adjacent to Sunset Beach and along Issaquah Creek, which will continue to dramatically improve ecological conditions and recreation access to this popular beach park.
Lake Sammamish State Park, a 512-acre jewel in the state park system, lies within the rapidly growing urban area of Issaquah and offers a wonderful beachside park with a decidedly bright future.
