Are fireworks allowed in Lakewood?
Yes, fireworks are allowed in Lakewood, but only on July 4 between the hours of 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
If you choose to use fireworks at your residence on July 4, please be smart:
- Don’t mix alcohol and explosives.
- Keep children away from fireworks.
- Be mindful not only about where you light your fireworks, but also where they will fall.
- It is illegal to use fireworks on city property, in city parks or on school district property.
The best way to enjoy a safe Fourth of July is not to use fireworks at home and instead attend a public display. Considering visiting one of these Fourth of July events:
- JBLM Food Trucks & Fireworks (open to DOD ID card holders and their guests)
- Tacoma Summer Blast
- Steilacoom’s 4th of July Parade and Fireworks
What type of fireworks are permitted in Lakewood?
Not all fireworks are legal to use in Lakewood. Review this list of fireworks to see what is legal and illegal to use within city limits.
To learn more about fireworks and how to safely handle them, please visit West Pierce Fire & Rescue’s Fireworks webpage.
Summer 2024 Lakewood Connections in homes
The City of Lakewood Summer 2024 Lakewood Connections magazine was mailed home last week to all Lakewood residents.
This quarterly publication provides updates to Lakewood residents on the work of the city. It also shares information about upcoming projects.
Inside the latest edition readers will find:
- A message from the Lakewood City Counil on its plans for the development of a park downtown.
- A look at Casa Mia, the January 2024 Business Showcase awardee.
- A introduction to Jeff Rimack, the newest department director to join the city.
- An update on road projects including Hipkins Road and the Ardmore/Whitman/93rd Street project, plus what else is planned for summer and fall.
- A look at the city’s police response and the decline in crime citywide.
- Highlights for this year’s SummerFEST happening July 20.
- A list of city events happening this summer and fall.
Read the Summer 2024 Lakewood Connections Magazine and find past editions online.
Counting tress in Lakewood
Beginning Monday, June 24 contractors working for the city will be on public property conducting a tree inventory.
The contractors, FACCET NW, will be walking and driving through Lakewood for the next few months to count the number, species, health, and other features of trees. This is the first step to design and launch an urban forestry program in the city.
The Lakewood City Council prioritized trees with a series of actions. That included adding a chapter to its 2022 Comprehensive Plan on Energy and Climate Change, adopting a tree preservation code and adopting a goal to have a tree canopy of 40% throughout the city by 2050 .
Once complete the tree inventory report will be presented to the City Council at a meeting in November. Find more information and track the progress of the inventory on the city’s Urban Forestry Program webpage.
Select USA Spin-Off event Pierce County
City of Lakewood Economic Development Manager Becky Newton participated in a regionally coordinated recruitment event on June 20, 2024 at Clover Park Technical College Center for Advanced Manufacturing.
In total, 26 companies from nine countries plus one US-based company toured Pierce County prior to attending the annual Select USA Summit, scheduled for this weekend in Washington D.C.
Newton spoke at the event, showcasing Lakewood and regional partnerships.
Lakewood City Hall closed June 26 for all-staff event
Lakewood City Hall will close Wednesday, June 26 for an all-staff event. City Hall will close at 11:30 a.m. for the remainder of the day.
We appreciate your support and patience while we take time to recognize and celebrate our staff.
Planning Commission Public Hearing on Shoreline buffers is June 26
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.
Buffer widths will increase for the following bodies of water/streams:
- Boyles Lake
- Carp Lake
- Emerson Lake
- Lost Lake
- Flett Creek
- Ponce de Leon Creek
- Unnamed tributaries for Gravelly Lake, Lost Lake, Waughop Lake, Chambers Creek, Clover Creek and unnamed type “Np/Ns/X” waterbodies.
Buffer widths will stay the same for:
- American Lake
- Gravelly Lake
- Lake Louise
- Lake Steilacoom
- Waughop Lake
- Chambers Creek
- Clover Creek
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.
It’s getting hot in here
Did you know areas of cities with unshaded roads and buildings and low tree cover can be up to 20°F hotter than surrounding areas?
This summer, Pierce County is doing an urban heat mapping project that will bring together local cities, organizations, and volunteers to produce heat maps. Lakewood is one of the cities being mapped and volunteers are needed to help with the project.
As a volunteer you will help create high-resolution descriptions of ambient heat at the human level. You can learn more about urban heat island effect by staying involved. This community-based science project will be conducted by heat ambassadors. The heat mapping will be done Aug. 3 and again on Aug. 10. Aug. 4 and 11 are backup days, just in case. Volunteers are needed for three, one-hour time slots starting at 6 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Find more information about this effort at the Tacoma Tree Foundation website. Want to volunteer? Use this form to sign up.
2024 Summer Nights at the Pavilion Concert Schedule
Lakewood’s outdoor summer concert season kicked off this week with Classic Rock group House Band of Lakewood.
Next week country group Joker’s Run will take the Pavilion stage at 6:30 p.m. This high-energy group is a fun one to watch. Throw on your cowboy boots, dust off the cowboy hat and get ready for an evening of line dancing and fun.
Don’t forget to stop by the Lakewood Farmers Market, happening 2-7 p.m. at Fort Steilacoom Park. Shop the market vendors, grab dinner from one of the many food trucks and then settle in for the concert. Bring your own lawn chairs or blanket. The concert ends at 8 p.m.
The Summer Nights at the Pavilion concerts run every Tuesday until 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 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)
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
Have you checked out the Lakewood Farmers Market Pop-Up Markets yet?
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 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 17, 2024 meeting recap
At its regular meeting the Lakewood City Council heard an update on the city’s automated traffic safety camera systems and how a new state law could negatively impact the city’s ability to use revenue generated from the cameras.
The City of Lakewood currently has five locations where eight traffic cameras are used. These include two school zones and six red light cameras.
Historically the city received more than $500,000 a year from these traffic cameras. The amount dropped by 20% in the last year due to fewer tickets being issued in 2023.
The camera systems are in place to increase traffic safety. Money generated from the cameras is used by the city to further support public safety. Recently adopted state legislation would change how the city can use that money.
Under the new legislation if the city expanded the number of locations with cameras beyond one more site, it would have to change how it uses the money collected. The new law requires money generated from the cameras to be used within specific parameters. It also requires the city to pay the state 25% of the non-interest money it collects.
The city was considering hiring a new automated camera vendor to enhance traffic safety in its hospital and park zones. But under the new law, if the city did this it would not be able to use the money to fund public safety like it has in the past. As a result, the city’s legal department recommended to the City Council that the city retain its current program and not expand so that it can continue to use the revenue received where it is most beneficial to the city.
The Lakewood City Council acted on the following:
- Authorized American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding in the amount of $2,500, to sponsor the Buffalo Soldiers 2024 Labor Day Festival.
- Authorized the execution of an agreement with Robert Droll Landscape Architects for the Harry Todd Park Pickleball Courts Project.
Watch the meeting.
What’s on deck. The Lakewood City Council will hold a study session Monday, June 24 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Tentative agenda items include:
- South Tacoma Way Improvement Project Update
- Nyanza Road SW Project 30% Design Overview
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 11-18, 2024
- Calls for Service: 910
- Arrests: 41
- Violent Crime: 97
- Property Crime: 54
- Traffic Stops: 97
- Collisions (reportable): 18
Community events
Lakewold Gardens Fairy Fest is this weekend
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 emergency 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.
Now Hiring!
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, sidewalk grade preparation, and began installing storm system components. Concrete crews are scheduled to begin setting forms and placing concrete June 24. Traffic control continues to alternate traffic through one with traffic personnel on scene.
Hipkins Road
Concrete crews continue placing sidewalk, black concrete buffer, and driveways throughout project. This phase of work is anticipated to be complete by next week. Landscaping work continues throughout the work zone. Pavement is scheduled to go down June 24 and 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.