UPDATE | State asks South Whidbey parks to take over lakes

Published 3:43 pm Thursday, May 21, 2009

Representatives from the state and Island County told an audience of 50 residents Thursday that access to three prime South Whidbey freshwater lakes may be restricted due to lack of funds.

The state’s 25-year maintenance-and-operations contract with the county expires next month for Goss and Lone lakes in Langley, and in February for Deer Lake in Clinton.

“Unless we find some agency willing to take responsibility, the lakes will revert to a more primitive state,” said Kye Iris of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, which owns the properties. “Swimming in Goss Lake would be restricted, the picnic tables would be moved elsewhere and the restrooms closed.”

Island County parks director Steve Marx added that he is unable to keep the lakes at their current level of upkeep because his department’s budget has been slashed.

Both told the South Whidbey Parks & Recreation board that they are willing to negotiate an agreement should the parks district be willing to take on the responsibility of picking up trash, emptying portable restrooms, sweeping, cutting vegetation and other essential tasks.

“Basically, I’m asking if you would take them over,” Marx said to parks commissioners.

Neither Iris or Marx provided a financial breakdown.

More important, South Whidbey parks director Terri Arnold said, was knowing how much money the district will need to maintain the properties.

“A rough estimate is $170,000 to go mobile, including new hires, trucks, mowers, time, fuel and fertilizer,” she said.

Parks district officials are hoping the public will offer guidance on the takeover proposal.

“The public will drive the process from here in terms of how much they want to see us expand our scope of work,” Arnold said.