May is AANHPI Heritage Month
At its regular meeting Monday evening the Lakewood City Council will read a proclamation recognizing May as Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
For decades Lakewood has served as a melting pot of culture. From the establishment of the Korean Women’s Association as a grassroots organization created to support the influx of Korean women arriving in the area as spouses to military members stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, to housing and supporting refugees coming from war-torn countries.
Lakewood welcomes everyone with open arms.
Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders comprise 12% of Lakewood’s population, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. Nationally they make up some of the fastest growing racial and ethnic groups.
City leaders value the strong relationships built with organizations like the Asian Pacific Cultural Center and Korean Women’s Association. Lakewood is home to a robust International District that showcases stores, restaurants and small businesses owned and operated by Asian Americans and their families.
This May Lakewood celebrates the many contributions Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders to our city, county and state and encourages residents to learn more about the cultures of our friends and neighbors.
Play Ball! Fort Steilacoom Park field dedication a success
Have you visited Fort Steilacoom Park recently? If you have, you’ve likely seen Little Leaguers and collegiate athletes using the newly renovated fields at Fort Steilacoom Park.
The City of Lakewood and Pierce College dedicated the fields in a somewhat rainy celebration last weekend. Despite the drizzle, the fields remained ready to go – something that would not have been possible with the previous dirt infields.
Little League players from Lakewood Baseball Club joined the Pierce College Raiders Baseball Team on the field for the celebration. Mayor Jason Whalen was joined by Pierce College Chancellor Dr. Julie White. Together they welcomed the public to the new home complex for Raiders baseball.
The public is invited to attend the collegiate baseball and softball games. Admission is free. When the college is not using the new field, it will be available for city scheduled-used. The smaller fields are also in use by Lakewood Baseball Club and ready to host practice, games and tournaments.
See photos from the April 27, 2024 field dedication on the city’s Facebook page.
Kids Fishing Event is May 18
Registration is open and spots are still available for our Kids Fishing Event.
Head to American Lake Park Saturday, May 18, 2024 and teach your child how to fish!
Our annual Kids Fishing Event is happening on the shores of American Lake. There are four sessions available for children to learn how to fish. Registration is $10 and includes an-hour long fishing session, a fishing pole, bait and the opportunity to take home your fresh catch.
Volunteers will be on hand to help clean the fish for those who want to take them home to eat.
Session times start at 8 a.m. and run every hour until 11 a.m. Learn more and register online.
Lakewood Park Appreciation Day
The City of Lakewood expresses a heartfelt “Thank you!” to all the volunteers that came out last weekend to help with Parks Appreciation Day.
Cleanup efforts this year focused on six sites:
- American Lake Park
- Community Garden
- Edgewater Park
- Fort Steilacoom Park
- Kiwanis Park
- Springbrook Park
Volunteers helped spread wood chips, remove invasive plant species and cleaned up the areas for our upcoming busy spring and summer season.
We are grateful for all the community partners, groups and organizations that came together for this event and volunteered their time. We would not be able to do this without them.
Thank you!
Council Corner: What’s on Deck?
The Lakewood City Council meets Monday, May 6 at 7 p.m. for a regular meeting in Council Chambers.
Tentative agenda items include:
- Proclamation recognizing May, 2024 as Asian American, Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- Proclamation recognizing May, 2024 as Hunger Awareness Month
- Proclamation recognizing May 5 – 11, 2024 as Drinking Water Week
- Proclamation recognizing May 6 – 10, 2024 as Affordable Housing Week
- Proclamation recognizing May 12 – 18, 2024 Police Week
- Proclamation recognizing May 19 – 25, 2024
- Proclamation recognizing May 2024 as Building Safety Month
- Youth Council Report
- Clover Park School District Report
- Accepting a donation from Amazon, in the amount of $8,000, in support of South Sound Military and Communities Partnership (SSMCP) special events and initiatives.
- Authorizing the execution of a professional services agreement with Pacific Rim Talent for summer entertainment.
- Authorizing the execution of a professional services agreement with Lakewood Building Maintenance for janitorial services at city parks.
- Approving the 2023 Transportation Benefit District Annual Report.
- Authorizing the execution of a professional services agreement with BCRA for the design of Nyanza Road – Gravelly Lake Drive (South) to Gravelly Lake Drive (North).
- Authorizing the execution of a professional services agreement with Cascade Right of Way Services for right of way acquisition services related to the Idlewild Road and 112th Street project.
- Authorizing the award the construction contract to Ceccanti, Inc. for the Farwest Drive – 112th to 91st Avenue Ct SW project.
- Authorizing the execution of an amendment to the agreement with R.L. Alia Company, increasing contract authorization, for the JBLM North Access Improvement Project, Phase 2.
- Public hearing: 2024 Carry Forward Budget Adjustment
- Resolution approving the FY 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan.
How to attend. Attend in-person at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW; Join via Zoom (or dial 253-215-8782 and enter meeting ID: 868 7263 2373), or watch live on the city’s YouTube channel.
Police Chief’s Corner
Each week Lakewood Police Chief Patrick D. Smith shares a summary that includes a look at total calls for service the Lakewood Police Department responded to for the prior week. The intent of the summary is to share a snapshot of how the department works to keep the community safe. To see quarterly statistical analysis, visit the Lakewood Police Department crime statistics page on the city website.
Weekly Summary, April 23-30, 2024
- Calls for Service: 823
- Arrests: 37
- Violent Crime: 21
- Property Crime: 48
- Traffic Stops: 66
- Collisions (reportable):24
Sign up for Lakewood Alert
The City of Lakewood uses an alert service to notify residents of important information. If there is an emergency in the city that requires public notification, we will use Lakewood Alert as one way to communicate. We will also post information to our website and social media channels.
Subscribers can sign up to receive text and email alerts. People can also sign up for important non-emergency updates including information about road impacts from large events in the city or information about special events.
Find out more and sign up today.
Work for the city of Lakewood
We’re hiring! Looking to change careers? Looking for a new job? Ready to re-enter the job market?
Join the city of Lakewood! We have a variety of positions open across multiple departments. Lakewood offers a competitive benefits package. We are part of the state retirement system (PERS). And the city is a beautiful place to work.
Find a current list of open positions online.
Road project updates
Ardmore/Whitman/93rd
Permanent striping and channelization work is currently scheduled for the later part of next week and will be performed at night. The road will be temporarily closed while the contractor is working on this activity. Remaining work includes the installation of wooden street luminaires (currently expected mid-May) and the installation of a new signal bridge (currently expected late-July or early-August).
Hipkins Road
Concrete curb and gutter installation concluded on the north end of the project, with the exception of a few small pieces. Roadway grading and rock placement continues. The utility pole that conflicted with the new road alignment was removed Thursday after the utilities were relocated. Weather permitting, bottom lift paving is now expected to take place the week of May 13. Lateral and service connections continue on the water system work.
Washington Boulevard
Final channelization is scheduled for next week. The contractor will also be adding a yellow paint line to all 13 new roundabouts in the Washington/Veterans vicinity. This work will be performed at night and the roundabouts will be closed for a short duration while the work is being completed.
84th and Pine
Signal equipment is expected to begin arriving later this month.