The parking lot and restrooms at Lily Point Marine Park may look complete, but they’re not.

“We had trouble with the line pressure in the septic system,” said Rod Lamb, design and development supervisor with Whatcom County Parks and Recreation.

Lamb said the final electrical and septic inspections were scheduled for January 23 and 24, and once those approvals are secured, the contractor will cover the septic field and begin the final grading and landscaping.

“I’m optimistic we can have it buttoned up by the end of next week,” so that the facilities will be open for use by the beginning of February, Lamb said.

In the meantime Lamb asked that people continue to stay out of the area and find other access points to the park. “The contractor still has control of the site and liability,” he said. There have been several instances of off-leash dogs running through the project and marring fresh concrete and paint.

State and federal agencies are reviewing proposed changes to the trail system with regard to potential impacts on eagle habitat. Lamb said they hoped to start trail work by fall 2012, to include widening of some existing trails and a new trail to the beach.