Lake Sammamish State Park brings back fond memories to those here who live adjacent to the facility.

Or not.

The park, once a popular destination for families, boaters and picnickers, has little to appeal to those groups now. And, really, who can blame them?

Families must contend with the absence of lifeguards at the swimming beach, boaters find sunken docks in the winter, and picnickers must negotiate grass dotted with goose poop – hardly a reassuring sight for parents who want their kids to run and get some exercise.

Then, there are the restroom facilities. The word “disgusting” readily comes to mind as each spring rangers must bring in buckets (yes, buckets) of bleach water to wash the mold and mildew off the walls. This spring, they took out the walls completely and replaced them.

Perhaps if the park were out in the boonies – as it once was – it wouldn’t be as much of a concern. But the park now sits surrounded by a highly urbanized area with even Microsoft office buildings along one side. This new urbanization can’t help but bring increased expectations.

Does this mean scrapping the wetlands and putting in an amusement park? Hardly. But it also doesn’t mean that the park only should be enjoyed by the few walkers who meander through puddles and along the muddy paths.

This dilemma is compounded by the fact that the state has precious little money to spend on parks, but that doesn’t mean nothing can be done.

Bridle Trails State Park between Redmond, Bellevue and Kirkland is thriving thanks to people who formed a foundation to help maintain the park.

Why not something of the same for Lake Sammamish?

Wetlands and people places can co-exist with proper planning and cooperation, giving more people the chance to experience everything that Lake Sammamish State Park has now, and could or should have in the future.

Issaquah City Council Member Stacy Goodman has said she wants to champion the park’s future. Good. Now others should join her to ensure that Lake Sammamish State Park has a real future and not what’s more and more becoming a sad past.