Join us for a Juneteenth Celebration Saturday
The public is invited to Lakewood City Hall on Saturday, June 15 from 3-5 p.m., for a community celebration of Juneteenth.
What is Juneteenth? This federal and state holiday marks the date (June 19) in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas learned the Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery in the United States. Today Juneteenth is recognized through community gatherings and celebrations.
The City of Lakewood is proud to partner with St. Joseph-St. John Episcopal Church to support the organization’s Juneteenth Celebration.
There will be speeches from local leaders, performances, tables with information from community partners and a chance to come together and celebrate this significant date in our nation’s history.
‘The Big One’ gets a new home in Fort Steilacoom Park
For nearly 60 years a massive Douglas fir round sat perched atop a cement stand in an enclosure at the entrance of the Pierce County Library System’s Lakewood library branch on Wildaire Road SW.
This week, the Tenzler Log, affectionately called “The Big One”, found a new home.
With ease and skill, a crew from Omega Morgan used a crane to lift the 9 ¼ ton section of tree from its stand at the library. It was then relocated to Fort Steilacoom Park where it will be on display for all to see.
Ultimately an enclosure will go around the tree, sheltering it from the elements and protecting it from vandalism. The enclosure is expected to be installed near the end of summer or early fall. In the interim the tree slab will remain wrapped in plastic to protect it behind temporary fencing.
Read more about The Big One and its history.
Summer Nights at the Pavilion kicks off Tuesday
Lakewood’s outdoor summer concert season kicks off with Classic Rock group House Band of Lakewood.
The band takes the Pavilion stage at 6:30 p.m. on June 18, 2024. Set up lawn chairs or a blanket in the lawn at the Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park and enjoy an evening of good music, lots of energy and family fun.
Get there early to stop by the Lakewood Farmers Market first to grab dinner from one of the market food vendors.
Concerts run every Tuesday from June 18 to Aug. 27* from 6:30-8 p.m. (*Note: There are no concerts July 16 and 23).
2024 Summer Nights at the Pavilion concert schedule
- June 18: House Band of Lakewood (Classic Rock)
- June 25: Jokers Run (Country)
- July 2: Pookela (Reggae)
- July 9: Hair Nation (80’s Rock)
- July 30: Chapter 5 (Funk/R&B/Soul)
- August 6: Catch a Wave (Beach Boys Tribute)
- August 13: Wally & The Beaves (Oldies)
- August 20: ABBAgraphs (ABBA Tribute)
- August 27: Mr. Pink (Dance Hits)
Do you own property on a lake or stream shoreline?
New buffer requirements for lakes and streams are part of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review under review by the Lakewood Planning Commission.
The Planning Commission wants to hear from property owners who own land within 200 feet of a lake or stream shoreline. The proposed changes, which are required, may affect how you can develop your property.
People can comment in person about the proposed changes at the Planning Commission’s June 26, 2024 public meeting. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW.
Can’t make it in person? You can attend virtually via Zoom or by calling (253) 215-8782 and enter meeting ID: 819 1842 8672. Virtual attendees can provide public comment by raising their hand and waiting to be called on. Or submit comments in writing by 12 p.m. June 26, 2024 by emailing Karen Devereaux.
Comprehensive Plan Periodic update
The draft City of Lakewood 2024 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update, associated Development Regulations, and Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement are now available for viewing and public comment. Comments on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement are due by July 3, 2024 at 5 p.m. Email comments to [email protected], please include “DSEIS Public Comment” in the subject.
- View the draft 2024 Comprehensive Plan Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement here.
- View the June 3, 2024 Draft 2024 Comprehensive Plan here.
- View the June 3, 2024 2024 Draft Comprehensive Plan Appendices here.
- View the June 3, 2024 Draft 2024 Development Regulations here.
- View the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Audit/Track Changes Tables here.
Lakewood Farmers Market Pop-Up Markets
This year the Lakewood Farmers Market is hosting markets within the market. These Pop-Up markets allow us to showcase specialty vendors and call attention to their work.
Stop by Fort Steilacoom Park Tuesdays, 2-7 p.m. through the summer to see what the market has to offer. In addition to the Pop-Up markets every week the Lakewood Farmers Market hosts farmers, local artisans, wineries, bakeries, fresh cut flowers, artists and more.
Pop-Up Market schedule:
- June 18: Wellness/Sports-focused businesses
- June 25: Minority-owned businesses
- July 2: New businesses (opened in the last 18 months)
- July 30: Women-owned businesses
- Aug. 6: Kids’ Day at the Market (children up to age 16 can sell items at the market)
- Aug. 13: Maker Fair (inventors, creators, educators, hobbyists are encouraged to inspire people with skill-building tutorials, hands-on projects, experiments and show and tell)
- Aug. 20: South Sound First Nation organizations (tribal affiliations)
- Aug. 27: Local artists
The Lakewood Farmers Market 2024 season runs every Tuesday* from June 4 to Sept. 17. (*There is no market July 16 or 23.)
Council Corner: June 10, 2024 meeting recap
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategic Plan. The City Council received an update on the development of a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging strategic plan that will be used across the organization. The initial focus of the plan is geared toward internal operations and creating a culture that supports inclusion and belonging for all. Eventually the plan will expand to include equitable delivery of public services, among other things. Lakewood employees are currently working to develop the pillars of the plan that will serve as its foundation. Their work is expected to be complete by September and from there a designated leadership team will move the pillars forward to begin drafting the plan.
Joint Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting. Members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met with the City Council to review the board’s accomplishments from 2023 and its 2024 workplan. Find the full list on page 25.
Utility Signal Box Wrap Project update. The Lakewood Arts Commission selected artwork from local artists to wrap 10 signal boxes in the city in 2024. Once complete, approximately 85 signal boxes will have artwork on them at 32 sites across the city.
Senior Services update. The City Council received an update from the Lakewood Senior Activity Center on the services and programming it provides to area seniors. The center strives to connect members to activities and socialization to help foster independence, avoid loneliness, have fun and provide support.
Watch the meeting.
What’s on deck. The Lakewood City Council will hold a regular meeting Monday, June 17 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Tentative agenda items include:
- Authorizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, in the amount of $2,500, to sponsor the Buffalo Soldiers 2024 Labor Day Festival
- Authorizing the execution of an agreement with Robert Droll Landscape Architects, for the Harry Todd Park Pickleball Courts Project
- Reports by the City Manager: Review of Automated Traffic Safety Camera Systems.
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, June 4-11, 2024
- Calls for Service: 1,046
- Arrests: 40
- Violent Crime: 21
- Property Crime: 54
- Traffic Stops: 216
- Collisions (reportable): 25
Community events
Lakewold Gardens Fairy Fest is June 22-23
Visit Lakewold Gardens for its Fairy Fest, a magical weekend of fairy-themed events for the entire family!
Discover a little magic in the natural world as you search for hidden fairies in the gardens, play games and picnic on the lawn, participate in art and literary activities, enjoy live music and dance performances, vote for your favorite fairy house and more.
Event details:
- June 22-23, 11a.m.-5 p.m. (members only 10-11 a.m.)
- Tickets: $20 General, $16 Students, Seniors & Military, $10 Youth 6-17 (5 and under free)
Visit Lakewold Gardens website for more details.
Sign up for Lakewood Alert (Code Red)
The City of Lakewood uses Code Red, an alert service, to notify residents of important information happening in the city.
If there is an emergencythat 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.
Join the City of Lakewood team
Wanted: Building Inspector
Do you have experience performing commercial and residential building inspections, and experience in general construction? Are you a certified ICC Building Inspector with a passion for public service? If so, please check out our Building Inspector job posting and submit your application today!
In addition to this job opening, there are a variety of other positions available to join the City of Lakewood team. 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
Farwest Drive, Safe Routes to School
The City’s contractor continues to work north from 112th Street SW with electrical trenching and sidewalk grade preparation. Concrete crews are scheduled to begin setting forms and placing concrete on June 24. The road continues to be shifted to one lane so work can be completed safely.
Hipkins Road
The City’s contractor concluded all water tie-ins at Steilacoom Boulevard and Hipkins/83rd St SW. Concrete crews continue placing sidewalk and driveways from North Way to Cross Lane. Landscaping work started between North Way and 88th Street SW. Paving is scheduled for June 24 but is weather dependent.
Ardmore/Whitman/93rd
Remaining work includes the installation of street luminaires (expected installation early- to mid-June) and the installation of the traffic signal (anticipated in August).
84th and Pine
Work on this project is paused while the contractor waits for the traffic signal to arrive. Estimated arrival timeline is mid-July. Once it arrives work will resume.