3.0 SHORELINE PARK DESCRIPTIONS

As previously discussed in Section 1.4, parks operated by state and local jurisdictions in the study area were reviewed to determine their suitability for inclusion in this preliminary review. The following sections present the results of this evaluation, identifying the features used to determine which parks should be selected for further survey of human uses. Figures 2 and 3 show the locations of parks on Lake Sammamish and the Sammamish River reviewed in this report. Figures 4, 5, and 6 show the locations of parks on the North end of Lake and the South end of and , respectively, reviewed in this report. 3.1 King County Parks

King County contains many parks, marinas, commercial, industrial and residential areas where people may have contact with the shoreline around Lakes Sammamish, Washington and Union. The county maintains numerous parks within the greater Lake Washington watershed that provide outdoor recreational opportunities. Three King County parks have been selected as sites of interest: O.O. Denny Park, Juanita Beach Park, and Luther Burbank Park. These parks were selected because they are large parks located in populated areas and provide access to the shorelines within the watershed in addition to other popular outdoor activities.

King County is currently experiencing significant budget shortfalls in the Parks Department. Consequently, King County is investigating strategies for park management that include transferring some parks to other jurisdictions, and possibly closing others (King County 2002). Accordingly, Juanita Beach Park has been transferred to the City of Kirkland. Both Luther Burbank and Juanita Beach parks are experiencing the same high level of usage, regardless of budgetary and administrative concerns (Scott Synder, personal communication; Hank Bradbury, personal communication). O.O. Denny has experienced a reduction of usage, with potentially up to a third fewer visitors than would be expected during the summer months (Hank Bradbury, personal communication).

Three parks located with in the study area, Marymoor Park, Sixty Acres Park and Northshore Athletic Field were not selected for further investigation of uses. While these parks and facilities do border the Sammamish River and/or Lake Sammamish, there is limited public access to the water. Sixty Acres Park and Northshore Athletic Facilities are primarily dedicated to sports activities such as soccer, baseball, and softball. Marymoor Park has a wide variety of facilities including an off-leash dog area, picnic grounds, playground, and climbing wall and athletic facilities including the regions only velodrome for bicycle racing.

A Review of Shoreline Park Usage: Lakes Washington, Union and Sammamish August 2002 page 6 None of these parks have a swimming beach, and therefore were excluded from the survey.

3.1.1 Denny Park

O.O Denny Park is located in a residential area of the northwest border of Kirkland on the northeast shore of Lake Washington. O.O Denny Park covers 37.5 acres of land and connects on its northeastern border to Big Finn Hill State Park, which occupies an additional 220 acres. Outdoor activities available at O.O. Denny Park include swimming and picnicking at designated areas. Additionally, a network of hiking trails connects O.O. Denny Park to Big Finn Hill State Park. Because of the limited development of this park, it is suited for outdoor photography and nature observation. (O.O. Denny Park is one of the 20 parks King County has closed, though there may be local usage of the park.)

3.1.2 Juanita Beach Park

Juanita Beach Park is located in a residential area of northwest Kirkland, and is on a small bay on the northeast shore of Lake Washington. Juanita Beach Park covers about 20 acres on either side of Juanita Drive. Outdoor activities that are accommodated at Juanita Beach Park are swimming, picnicking, and fishing. In addition to picnic and swim areas this park also has playground equipment and a pier delineating the boundary of the swimming area that is typically used by boaters and swimmers.

3.1.3 Luther Burbank Park

Luther Burbank Park is located in the middle reaches of Lake Washington in a residential area at the northeast end of Mercer Island. At 77 acres with three- quarters of a mile of Lake Washington waterfront, Luther Burbank Park is one of the larger King County parks and is capable of supporting numerous outdoor activities. Water based activities available at Luther Burbank are swimming, boating and fishing. Luther Burbank Park provides daily moorage for up to 20 watercraft, a public fishing pier and a swimming beach with seasonal lifeguards.

Land-based activities available at Luther Burbank are walking, picnicking, tennis, basketball and nature observation. Because much of the park has been left undeveloped it provides suitable habitat for many species of plants, birds and small mammals, allowing opportunity for wildlife observation and hiking over nearly three miles of trails. The developed portions of the park include a large children's play area with swings and play structures, three dozen individual and group picnic areas and an off-leash area for dog owners. The park also contains an amphitheater that can accommodate up to 2,000 people and is a venue for numerous summer concerts.

A Review of Shoreline Park Usage: Lakes Washington, Union and Sammamish August 2002 page 7 Scott Snyder, King County Parks Resource Coordinator, estimated the number of people visiting Luther Burbank Park (Snyder 2002). During the winter and fall, an average of 30-50 people visit the park on weekdays and numbers may double on the weekends. An annual holiday event (i.e., The Holiday Parade of Boats) draws approximately 175 – >500 people each year. During the spring, approximately 75 people per day may visit the park on weekdays, with numbers increasing on the weekends. Summer typically draws larger numbers of people to the park with up to 1,200 people during weekdays and 2,000 or more on weekends. These estimates are based on observations made by the Resource Coordinator, and no quantitative records were collected. Therefore, these numbers may not represent the exact yearly human use of Luther Burbank Park. 3.2 Washington State Parks

The Washington State Parks Department oversees 125 parks within the state; however, only two are located along the shores of Lakes Washington and Sammamish. These parks, Saint Edwards State Park, located on Lake Washington, and Lake Sammamish State Park, located on Lake Sammamish, are both large parks that support a wide variety of outdoor activities, and provide easy shoreline access.

3.2.1 Saint Edwards State Park

Saint Edwards State Park is located towards the northeast end of Lake Washington within a primarily residential area of Kenmore and Kirkland. Saint Edwards State Park covers 316 acres and has 3,000 feet of shoreline on Lake Washington. The majority of the park is undeveloped and hosts miles of hiking trails above and along the lake. There are 85 unsheltered picnic tables in addition to five unsheltered group picnic facilities. In addition the park contains ball- fields, horseshoe pits and portable volleyball stands. While the shoreline area is primarily used for nature observation and does not contain a designated swimming or fishing area, there is easy access to the shoreline to accommodate swimming and wading, which does occur there to a limited degree.

3.2.2 Lake Sammamish State Park

Lake Sammamish State Park is located on the south end of Lake Sammamish in a residential and commercial area of northwest . Lake Sammamish park covers 512 acres and has 6,858 feet of waterfront on Lake Sammamish. This park is very popular with 1,339,027 visitors in 1999 and supports numerous water and non-water based activities with in its borders (Washington State Parks Department, 2002). Water based activities available at Lake Sammamish State Park are swimming at a large swimming beach that has seasonal life guards, fishing from the shore or dock and nine ramps for launching boats and personal water craft. Other activities accommodated at Lake Sammamish State Park are hiking and biking along 1.5 miles of trails, softball, soccer and volleyball fields

A Review of Shoreline Park Usage: Lakes Washington, Union and Sammamish August 2002 page 8 and horseshoe pits. An extensive portion of the park has been left undeveloped, allowing opportunities for nature observation. 3.3 City of

The City of Seattle oversees about 400 parks varying in size from quite small (<0.5 acre) to large (>100 acre) which makeup approximately 6,200 acres of public land within the city limits. Of these parks, 16 border Lake Washington and 2 border Lake Union. Eleven of the parks bordering Lake Washington and one park on Lake Union have been selected as sites warranting inclusion on the human use survey. The 12 sites; Gasworks, Atlantic City, Colman, Day Street Boat Ramp, , Madrona, Sand Point Magnuson, Matthews Beach, Mount Baker, Pritchard Island, Seward, and Stan Sayres Memorial Parks, were selected based on the size of the shoreline access available to the public, and the number of activities accommodated by the park. Seattle parks are all located in a heavily populated region of the state, and based on the findings of the IAC (2002) are likely to be frequently visited year-round.

The five parks excluded from this report are Denny Blaine Park, Howell Park, , Martha Washington Park, Montlake Park east/west, and South Passage Point Park. While these parks have shoreline access, most do not have swimming beaches, such as Denny Blaine Park, Martha Washington Park, Montlake Park east/west, or South Passage Point Park. Howell Park and Madison Park have a small shoreline area, <50 ft, where people can swim; however as with the other excluded parks Howell Park does not have playground, picnic facilities or support other outdoor activities. Madison Park does have these facilities; however, a sufficient number of larger parks that are located in the same general area will provide adequate representation of the activities in this area (see Figure 4).

3.3.1 Gasworks Park

Gasworks Park is located in north Seattle and occupies 20 acres on the north end of Lake Union, and at the eastern end of the heavily industrial ship canal. The park itself was previously an industrial site that produced fuel from coal and crude oil. The region the park is located remains a mixed-use residential and commercial area. Due to contamination issues associated with the previous land use, this park is no longer considered a swimming park; however, shoreline access is available. This park has historically been a very popular park and after it recently reopened, the public returned to the park in large numbers. The existing facilities include a children’s play area, picnicking sites, and walking paths.

3.3.2 Atlantic City Park

Atlantic City Park is located along the southwestern shore of Lake Washington. The area is a mix of residential and commercial or industrial areas near the

A Review of Shoreline Park Usage: Lakes Washington, Union and Sammamish August 2002 page 9 southeast city limits of Seattle. This park occupies 6.8 acres of land and is one of the few Seattle parks that provides both boat access to Lake Washington and short term moorage. Other than the boat launch, this park has not been extensively developed and provides an opportunity to observe nature in the wetlands near the launching area.

3.3.3

Colman Park is located along the southwestern shore of Lake Washington is located in a predominantly residential area in east Seattle just south of I-90. Colman Park is approximately 24 acres in size and has a long shoreline connecting to the shoreline. The park includes swimming, picnicking and playground areas, and provides opportunities for nature observation.

3.3.4 Day Street Boat Ramp

Day Street Boat Ramp is located just south of I-90 on the west side of Lake Washington north of Colman Park. There are no facilities other than the boat launch at this location.

3.3.5

Leschi Park occupies 18.5 acres of land on the southwest side of Lake Washington south of I-90. The local area is primarily residential. Leschi Park has a beach and swimming area that includes a public dock used for fishing. Other facilities at Leschi Park are a picnicking and playground areas, tennis courts, and hiking and walking trails.

3.3.6

Madrona Park occupies 31.2 acres of land on the west side of Lake Washington north of Leschi Park. This area surrounding the park is predominately residential. Madrona Park has a designated swim beach with seasonal lifeguards, a playground, and picnicking facilities. The park includes walking trails and paths that follow along the lake or into a wooded area.

3.3.7

Matthews Beach Park is located in a mixed use residential and commercial area on the west side of Lake Washington in Northeast Seattle near Lake City and north of Lake Union. At 22 acres, Matthews Beach Park is a relatively large park with good shoreline access. It is a popular swimming beach with seasonal lifeguards and floating dock. Other amenities available at this park are ten unsheltered picnic tables with cooking grills nearby, a playground, basketball and tennis courts and walking trails.

A Review of Shoreline Park Usage: Lakes Washington, Union and Sammamish August 2002 page 10 3.3.8 Mount Baker Park

Mount Baker Park is located in a residential/commercial area on the west side of Lake Washington in Southeast Seattle south of Colman Park. Mount Baker Park covers nearly 22 acres of land that is predominately along the shoreline between Colman and Stan Sayres Memorial Parks. The shoreline amenities at Mount Baker Park are a swimming beach with seasonal lifeguards, a swimming raft and a fishing pier. Other activities available at Mount Baker Park are playground equipment, picnic areas, tennis courts and walking trails. The extensive undeveloped shoreline around Mount Baker Park make it an ideal location for nature observation.

3.3.9 Pritchard Island Park

Pritchard Island Park is located in a mixed residential and commercial area of Southeast Seattle on the west-side of Lake Washington just north of Atlantic City Park. Though the shoreline area makes up only a small portion of the 19 acres the park covers, it does have a swimming beach with a seasonal lifeguard and a raft. This is not a highly developed park and the only other park amenities are picnic facilities.

3.3.10 Sand Point

Sand Point Magnuson Park covers 350 acres of land in a mixed residential and commercial area of Northeast Seattle. It is one of Seattles largest city parks. Located on the western shore of Lake Washington north of Lake Union, and south of Lake City, Magnuson Park has an extensive mile long shoreline that is home to some of Seattle’s most popular boat launches. The park has a swimming beach and platform with a seasonal lifeguard and a wading pool. There are five picnic shelters with other unsheltered picnic tables nearby that can accommodate approximately 200 people. In addition Magnuson Park has a children’s play area, basketball hoops, tennis courts and an off leash area for dogs. The large size of the park provides visitors with the ability to engage in nature observation along the approximately 4 miles of walking trails.

3.3.11

Seward Park is located on Baily Peninsula in Southeast Seattle on the west side of Lake Washington directly west of Mercer Island. At nearly 300 acres, Seward Park is one of Seattle’s largest parks. This park is unique for its extensive shoreline area with a designated swimming beach and dock with seasonal lifeguards. Short-term moorage is also available in Andrews Bay on the Northwest end of the park. Two onshore landing areas are available for small boats, but no launching facilities are available at this park. Other facilities available at Seward Park are picnicking and playground areas, and tennis courts. Seward Park contains a large amount of undeveloped land that can accommodate

A Review of Shoreline Park Usage: Lakes Washington, Union and Sammamish August 2002 page 11 nature observation in addition to walking and biking the park trails. Other unique features of this park are an amphitheater, fish hatchery, and an art studio.

3.3.12 Stan Sayres Memorial Park

Stan Sayres Memorial Park is located in a predominantly residential area of east Seattle on the western shore of Lake Washington one mile south of I-90. The main facility available at Stan Sayres Memorial Park is a boat launch featuring four wide ramps. There are no designated swimming areas, picnicking facilities or playground area at this park; however there are walking paths to and from the park.

Another significant aspect of this park is the role it plays in the Seafair Hydroplane Races that occur the first weekend in August of each year. The park serves as the pit area during the races and therefore, is also known as “Stan S. Sayres Memorial Pits (Seattle Parks and Recreation, 2002).” Seafair is the Pacific Northwest’s largest community festival, and ranks as one of the top 10 community festivals in the country (Seafair, 2001). 3.4 City of Bellevue

The City of Bellevue is home to 57 parks located throughout the city, of which five provide access to Lake Washington. Bellevue has no parks on Lake Sammamish. All five Lake Washington parks, Chism Beach Park/Burrows Landing, Clyde Beach, Enatai Beach, Meydenbauer Beach, and Newcastle Beach were selected based on the size of the shoreline access available to the public, and the number of activities accommodated by these parks, and density of population around the parks. These parks are all located in a populated region of the state, and based on the findings of the IAC (2002) are likely to be frequently visited year-round

3.4.1 Chism Beach Park and Burrows Landing Park

Chism Beach Park and Burrows Landing Park are two Bellevue parks located on the eastern shore of Lake Washington. The parks are connected, providing a combined area of about 35 acres. The area around the park is predominantly residential with single and multi family homes. Facilities at this park provide for swimming, fishing and picnicking. Chism Beach /Burrows Landing Parks also provides walking trails along the shoreline and between the two park areas.

3.4.2 Clyde Beach Park

Clyde Beach Park is a small park covering less than 5 acres located north of Chism Beach /Burrows Landing Parks in Meydenbauer Bay. This park is located in a residential area of Bellevue that has single and multifamily homes. Activities available at Clyde Beach Park are swimming, picnicking, and a playground area.

A Review of Shoreline Park Usage: Lakes Washington, Union and Sammamish August 2002 page 12 3.4.3 Enatai Beach Park

Enatai Beach Park is a small park covering less than 5 acres on the eastern shore of Lake Washington, in a residential area of West Bellevue. Enatai Beach Park has a designated swimming beach, a covered patio area and canoe and kayak rentals available during the summer season.

3.4.4 Meydenbauer Beach Park

Meydenbauer Beach Park is a smaller park covering about 10 acres located on the eastern shore of Lake Washington in Maydenbaur Bay. This park is located in a residential area of West Bellevue not far from the Bellevue Square Shopping Center. Amenities available at Meydenbauer Beach Park are a swimming beach, picnicking facilities and a children’s play area. Over the summer and fall of 2002 this park will be closed for demolition of the Meydenbauer Bridge, and for construction a new stronger bridge (Bellevue Parks & Community Services Department, 2002).

3.4.5 Newcastle Beach Park

Newcastle Beach Park, at 29 acres, is one of Bellevue’s largest city parks, and the largest Bellevue City park on Lake Washington. This park is located in a mixed residential and commercial area of Southwest Bellevue on the eastern shore of Lake Washington. The shoreline area of the park has a 200-foot swimming beach with seasonal lifeguards and a 300 foot fishing dock. Other park amenities include a picnicking area with 16 tables, a children’s play area, and a 3/4 mile walking trail. 3.5 City of Kirkland

The City of Kirkland is home to 35 parks that are owned and maintained by the City. Of these 35 parks, nine provide access to Lake Washington. Five of these parks, Houghton Beach, Marine, Marsh, David E. Brink Park and Waverly Beach, were selected for evaluation based on the size of the shoreline access available to the public and the number of activities accommodated by the parks. Kirkland is a relatively densely populated city on the Lake Washington shoreline, and based on the findings of the IAC (2002) is likely to be frequently visited year-round.

Parks not included in this report are Juanita Bay Park, Morning Side Park / Yarrow Bay Wetlands, Kiwanis Park and Settler's Park. These parks were excluded because they did not have swimming beaches. Morning Side Park / Yarrow Bay Wetlands serves predominantly as a walking trail and does not have picnic or playground facilities. Juanita Bay Park and Settler's Park have picnic and/or playground facilities, but Kiwanis Park is an undeveloped park that does not have any public facilities.

A Review of Shoreline Park Usage: Lakes Washington, Union and Sammamish August 2002 page 13 3.5.1 Houghton Beach Park

Houghton Beach Park is one of the larger Kirkland parks with water access; however it is a small park covering less than 5 acres. The park is located in a mixed residential and commercial area of Southwest Kirkland. Despite its small size it has a popular swimming beach and pier with seasonal lifeguards. Other water related activities available at the park are fishing from the shore or dock and kayaking or canoeing. Houghton Beach Park also has uncovered picnic tables and a large children’s play area. Personal communication with Mark Johnson of the park maintenance department revealed the city estimates about 1,500 people visit Houghton Beach Park each week during the summer months, indicating this park is heavily used during the summer.

3.5.2 Marsh Park

Marsh Park is a popular Kirkland waterfront park located just north of Houghton’s Beach Park. This park is also slightly smaller than Houghton’s Beach Park and lacks seasonal lifeguards. There is a dock from which people may fish, picnic tables, and a children’s play area.

3.5.3 Davie E. Brink Park

David E. Brink Park is of similar size as Marsh Park and is located north of Marsh Park on the shore of Lake Washington. This park is located in a mixed residential and commercial area of Kirkland and is frequented by a large number of people during the summer months. While there is not a seasonal lifeguard stationed at this park there is a public dock from which people my swim or fish. Additionally, a few picnic tables are available at this park.

3.5.4 Marine Park (Downtown Kirkland)

Marine Park is a very popular waterfront city park located in downtown Kirkland on the eastern shore of Lake Washington. The park is slightly smaller than Houghton’s Beach Park; however, due to its location and amenities available at the park it receives approximately 2,000 visitors weekly during the summer months (Johnson, 2002). Marine Park has a beach area but no seasonal lifeguard. Fishing, motor boat launching and moorage are other water-based activities accommodated at this park. Picnicking and playground facilities are available at Marine Park, and during the summer months the city sponsors a free weekly concert series.

3.5.5 Waverly Beach Park and Boat Launch

Waverly Beach Park and Boat Launch is located north of Marine Park in a predominately residential area of Kirkland. Waverly Park is also a smaller park of less than 5 acres; however, a number of activities are available at this park. In

A Review of Shoreline Park Usage: Lakes Washington, Union and Sammamish August 2002 page 14 addition to a swimming beach with a seasonal lifeguard, launching facilities are available for boats and a public dock for swimming and fishing. Picnicking and playground facilities are also available at Waverly Beach Park. 3.6 City of Renton

The City of Renton maintains and operates 30 public parks, approximately 10 miles of trails, 1,135 acres of public open space, an 18-hole public golf course, two lakefront beaches, and a public boat launch. The two lake-front beaches, Gene Coulon Memorial Beach and Kennydale Beach, were selected as sites for which additional use information should be collected. Renton is a relatively densely populated area on the Lake Washington Shoreline. This fact, together with the findings of the IAC (2002) suggests that these parks are likely to be frequently visited year-round

3.6.1 Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park and Boat Launch

Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park and Boat Launch is a large (53 acre) park located on the southeast end of Lake Washington. This area is a mix of residential, commercial and industrial zoning, but the park occupies over a mile of the shoreline area. Activities available at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park are swimming at designated swimming beaches with seasonal lifeguards, fishing from the fishing pier, and boating. Eight boat launching ramps are available at the park, as are picnic tables and three covered picnic shelters, a playground area, volley ball and horse shoe pits, and paved walking trails. Summer concerts are a frequent occurrence at the park. This is a very popular park with an annual visitation of approximately 1,540,000 people (Betlock, 2002)

3.6.2 Kennydale Beach Park

Kennydale Beach Park is a small park just under 2 acres that is located on the southeast end of Lake Washington. This park is north of Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park and is located in a predominately residential area of northwest Renton. While Kennydale Beach Park is small it has a popular swimming beach and playground area, providing residents an alternative to Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park. 3.7 City of Mercer Island

The City of Mercer Island owns and operates 18 parks that have a combined area of 475 acres. Five of Mercer Island’s community parks have access to the shore of Lake Washington one of which serves as a boat-launching site. Clarke Beach and Groveland Beach parks are the larger of the shoreline parks maintained by Mercer Island and have been selected as sites warranting further examination.

A Review of Shoreline Park Usage: Lakes Washington, Union and Sammamish August 2002 page 15 Calkins Landing and Slater Park were excluded from this report because they are small parks with limited shoreline access. Slater Park has a small swimming beach with less than 50 m of beach and a picnic area. There are no lifeguards on duty at Calkins Landing and it lacks picnicking and playground facilities. The Mercer Island Boat Launch was excluded because it is solely used as a boat launching facility and the boat launch at Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island is included in the investigation.

3.7.1 Clarke Beach Park

Clark Beach Park occupies approximately 8.8 acres of land in a residential area on the southeast end of Mercer Island. The park has a large swimming beach and dock, from which people fish as well, a playground and unsheltered picnicking areas.

3.7.2 Groveland Beach Park

Groveland Beach Park occupies approximately 3.2 acres of land in a residential area just south of the midway point on the west-side of Mercer Island. This park has a large swimming beach, unsheltered picnicking and barbecue areas, and a playground. 3.8 City of Redmond

Redmond has 21 developed parks consisting of over 1,000 acres and 17 miles of developed trails. In addition, the city has 13 undeveloped parks consisting of almost 300 acres and nine miles of undeveloped trails. Of the 21 developed parks under city control, only one, Idylwood Park, has shoreline access to Lake Sammamish. Idylwood Park is located on 17.5 acres at the Northwest end of Lake Sammamish in a predominately residential area that is moderately populated. Along the park’s 200 feet of shoreline access there is a designated swimming beach, a launching area for small non-powered boats (e.g., canoes and kayaks) and a fishing area. Picnic tables are available in the park, but there is no other recreational equipment. Because of the shoreline access and swimming area, Idylwood park has been selected as a park warranting further evaluation.

Luke Landing, another City of Redmond park, does not have access to Lake Sammamish, but does have access to the Sammamish River. Luke Landing is located along the Sammamish Trail on the banks of the Sammamish River. Amenities available at Luke Landing are a picnic area, canoe launch, and a fishing pier. The activities supported by these facilities are well represented at other sites. Additionally, Lukes Landing has no swimming area. Therefore, Lukes Landing was not selected for further evaluation.

A Review of Shoreline Park Usage: Lakes Washington, Union and Sammamish August 2002 page 16 3.9 City of Medina

The City of Medina is a small residential community located west of Bellevue that is bordered on the North, West and South by Lake Washington. The city has three municipal parks of which only one has shoreline access. Medina Beach Park is a small park, approximately 2 acres; however, it has a relatively large shoreline area exceeding100 feet, with a swimming beach with seasonal lifeguards and picnic tables. The park is primarily utilized by local residents and has limited parking. Medina beach park has been selected as warranting further evaluation. 3.10 Additional Locations and Recreational Organizations

There are few overnight camps along the shore of Lakes Sammamish, Union or Washington. However, many day camp organizations utilize the resources at public parks in the study area. There is one private camp located on the shore of Lake Sammamish. Sambica Camp is a Christian camp located on the southwest end of Lake Sammamish a few miles west of the Lake Sammamish State Park (see Figure 2). Sambica Camp conducts a year-round day camp program for children and hosts an overnight camp during the summer months with facilities that can accommodate 175 people. Camp activities during the summer months include swimming, fishing, and water sports. Because the camp hosts a limited number of people annually, further investigation of use patterns at this site are not warranted.3

There are no privately held parks open for public use on Lake Washington. However, Lake Sammamish does have one privately owned park along its shore. Vasa Park is a 5.2-acre privately owned park located on the southwest end of Lake Sammamish a few miles west of Lake Sammamish State Park, at the southeast edge of Bellevue (see Figure 2). Amenities available at Vasa Park are a swimming beach and pier, a boat launch, and picnic and playground area. The availability of recreational vehicle (RV) utility connections is a unique feature of this park. Because Vasa Park is a privately owned park, no surveys of use patterns will be conducted there.

3 Any potential risk-related activities occurring here would be limited to this group, therefore the results would not be generalizable to the population of the study area. Further, the activities occurring at this Camp are not different that those occurring at other more heavily used parks.

A Review of Shoreline Park Usage: Lakes Washington, Union and Sammamish August 2002 page 17