INFRASTRUCTURE. That's what people primarily talk to me about when we talk about growth. They're upset that the infrastructure, particularly roads and parks, do not keep pace with growth. As county officials, we have to do a better and smarter job of providing these critical facilities.

Snohomish County is looking for ways to do just that. This fall, the County Council will make final decisions regarding the 10-year comprehensive plan update. A crucial element of those decisions is providing the transportation, parks and open space needed. One step to getting there is making smarter use of the resources we have. Let's start with parks. As Snohomish County grows, the need for parks and open space becomes critical. Yet, with the high cost of land, purchasing and developing a park can easily cost $10 million to $20 million. So what can we do?

Tambark Creek Park is a good example of what is possible with a little creativity and collaboration. This 40-acre site sat unused for years. Why? Because to fully develop the site with ballfields, picnic shelters, trails, parking and other amenities would cost $7 million to $8 million the county did not have.

But we did not have to just let it sit unused. Two years ago, the neighbors contacted me, and I worked with the county parks department to see if there was a way to make the property available for neighborhood use now. Park employees, the neighbors and jail inmates teamed up to clean the property and put in trails. As a result of these efforts, this summer the neighborhood has a trail system and a place to picnic, all for less than $100,000. We still need the full park development, but kids and their families have something to use now.

I probably hear more complaints about transportation than any other subject. The fact is that the problems on Highway 9, Highway 524 and others simply cannot be fixed with the existing revenues. However, the county is looking at ways to improve transportation now while we look at options for funding the long-term fix.

Improvements that are currently in the planning stages for 39th Avenue just east of Bothell are an example of how that can be done. Ultimately, a fully improved road with sidewalks will be constructed there. Yet, due to the pressing needs of other neighborhoods, it is not scheduled to be built for 10 to 15 years, and people need relief now.

Through a cooperative effort of the neighbors, the developers and the county, we found a way to provide improvements. In the short term, a simple asphalt walkway will give people a safe place to walk. Putting up a signal at a key intersection will help traffic move more smoothly and safely. The work will be started this summer, and by next summer it will be completed for a fraction of the price of full improvements. It doesn't completely solve the problem, but it provides the neighborhood with some much-needed relief.

Targeting the limited county dollars at intersection and turn-lane improvements is being considered by the county for a number of roads. The concept is that if key intersections are improved, major improvements in traffic flow and safety can be achieved at a much lower cost than full road improvements.

This doesn't mean the full improvements aren't needed. Ultimately, Tambark Creek Park, 39th Avenue and other projects will need to be fully developed. But it is important that we find ways to reduce the problem in the interim.

Without good infrastructure, the quality of life in our communities declines. Without good infrastructure, it will become increasingly difficult to attract the good-quality, family-wage jobs we want in our communities. The fact is, there aren't easy solutions to our infrastructure problems. But Snohomish County is aggressively, and intelligently, looking for ways to do better.

Dave Gossett, D-Mountlake Terrace, represents the 4th District on the Snohomish County Council.