How Lakewood Addresses Homelessness After the Grants Pass Ruling – Municipal Research and Services Center
Following the Supreme Court’s decision in City of Grants Pass v Johnson (2024), Lakewood adopted Ordinance 808. Based directly on the Grants Pass ordinance, Ord. 808 prohibits sleeping on city sidewalks and in other public spaces. In passing this and other ordinances addressing homelessness, the city harmonized its approach to enforcement with recent court decisions and other efforts to help the unhoused population.
City staff and councilmembers recognized that enforcement actions did little to help the unhoused unless there are also investments in outreach, education and supportive services.
Fortunately, the city has been building these resources over the years, with one example being the Behavioral Health Contact Team. To date, there have been no arrests due to noncompliance with the new regulations and some success stories of people who are now housed.
Public Comment: Stormwater Management Program updates
The City of Lakewood is updating its Stormwater Management Program. This program guides efforts to further improve the water quality of stormwater discharges in the city.
The public is encouraged to review and comment on Lakewood’s Draft 2025 Stormwater Management Program and the updated Stormwater Management Action Plan. The documents are available to review online or in person Tuesday to Thursday between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. on the second floor of Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW.
Comments can be emailed to Weston Ott, or mailed to
Attn: 2025 Stormwater Management Program Update
Planning and Public Works Dept. City of Lakewood
6000 Main St. SW Lakewood, WA 98499
Please submit comments by Feb. 28, 2025.
The stormwater program is part of the city’s compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit or NPDES, which is a requirement of the federal Clean Water Act.
The program establishes the local regulations, maintenance and administrative procedures, and educational and outreach programs that the city will continue to act upon to address and reduce pollution from stormwater discharges. The state Department of Ecology administers the program.
Hidden Heroes: Lisa Boyd
Lisa Boyd’s connection to Lakewood is both profound and enduring.
Raised in a military family, Boyd is the daughter of Harry and Dr. Claudia Thomas. Her educational journey began at Lake Louise Elementary, Mann Jr. High, and Lakes High School in the Clover Park School District. Boyd pursued higher education at the University of North Carolina (Fayetteville), earning a degree in Education/Teaching. She continued her academic journey by obtaining a graduate degree and principal credentials from Central Washington University and superintendent credentials from Seattle Pacific University.
She was the first principal of Harrison Preparatory School, leading the team to graduate its first class of high school graduates and International Baccalaureate Accreditation.
Read more about Boyd and her ongoing work to support youth and the broader Lakewood community where she grew up.
The goal of Hidden Heroes is to raise the visibility of Black and African American leaders in our community. The focus is on celebrating their accomplishments and bringing to light lesser-known individuals who have made a big impact either on their local community, in their profession, or on the global scale.
Learn more about these heroes by reading about them on the City of Lakewood’s website or by following the city’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. Want to receive the information in an email? Click this link to sign up using the form at the bottom of the page.
Drop in for winter wellness programming
Chase away the winter chill with wellness programming offered by the City of Lakewood.
Available classes include Gentle Yoga, Fusion Yoga, a new four-week Kirtan Chanting class and a Sound Healing workshop on Feb. 23.
Classes are offered at the indoor Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park, 9107 Angle Lane SW. Unable to commit to a full session? The following classes allow drop-ins for $12 per class:
- Gentle Yoga, Mondays, 4:45-5:45 p.m.
- Gentle Yoga, Thursdays, 4:45-5:45 p.m.
- Fusion Yoga, Thursdays, 6-7 p.m.
Find class descriptions, registration links and more information about drop-ins online.
Council Corner: Feb. 18 meeting recap
Business Showcase: State Farm Insurance, Juanita Lanier. The Lakewood City Council recognized local State Farm Insurance agent Jaunita Lanier as the February 2024 Business Showcase recipient because of her dedication to providing outstanding service to the residents of Lakewood, including both professional and community services. Read more about Lanier and hear from her why she chose Lakewood for her small business.
The City Council acted on the following:
- Authorized the execution of an agreement with SMS Cleaning, Inc, in the amount of $135,023 for custodial services.
- Authorized the City Manager to accept $67,000 in sponsorship donations from Amazon, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Pierce Transit, Washington State Employee Credit Union, Vibrant Schools and friends and Twin Star Credit Union to support City of Lakewood programs and events.
- Authorized the execution of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the City of Lakewood and Partners for Parks (PFP) to support payment of A&E services for H-Barn Project.
- Authorized the execution of an agreement with Graham Baba Architects, in the amount of $981,367, for design services for the H-Barn Project.
Watch the meeting.
What’s on Deck? The Lakewood City Council meets March 3, 2025 at 7 p.m. for a regular meeting in Council Chambers.Tentative agenda items include:
- Proclamation recognizing Red Cross Month
- Youth Council Report
- Clover Park School District Report
- Authorizing the execution of an interlocal with the Lakewood Water District for the Interlaaken Road project.
- Reports by the City Manager: City Manager Recruitment Search Firm Update.
How to attend: Attend in person at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW. Attend virtually 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 show 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 Feb. 11-18, 2025
- Calls for Service: 992 (+12% from prior week)
- Arrests: 42 (-7% from prior week)
- Violent Crime: 16 (-43% from prior week)
- Property Crime: 62 (-6% from prior week)
- Traffic Stops: 231 (+93% from prior week)
- Collisions (reportable): 21 (+11% from prior week)
Attend a Neighborhood Association meeting in 2025
Neighborhood associations play a crucial role in fostering community engagement and improving the quality of life in local neighborhoods. Through its Neighborhood Connections program, the City of Lakewood aims to not only better connect the community, but also help residents better understand city processes.
There are currently six Neighborhood Associations in Lakewood. Five meet regularly. The meeting times and locations are listed below. All residents are invited and encouraged to attend an upcoming meeting for their respective neighborhood. Find out more about the Neighborhood Connections Program online.
Attend a Neighborhood Association meeting
- Fort Steilacoom Neighborhood Association
- Meets: Feb. 18, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. (meets the third Tuesday of the month)
- Location: The Pavilion in Fort Steilacoom Park, 9107 Angle Lane SW
- Springbrook Community Meetings
- Meets: Feb. 20, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. (meets the third Thursday of the month)
- Location: Springbrook Connections, 5105 Solberg Dr SW #A
- Tillicum/Woodbrook Neighborhood Association
- Meets: The second Tuesday of the month.
- Location: Tillicum-American Lake Gardens Community Center, 14916 Washington Ave SW.
- Downtown Neighborhood Association
- Meets: Meets the second Wednesday of the month.
- Location: Interim Lakewood Library, 10202 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW
- Lake City Neighborhood Association
- Meets: Every other month. Next meeting is March 13, 2025 at 7 p.m.
- Location: West Pierce Fire & Rescue station, 8517 Washington Blvd. SW
- North Lakewood Neighborhood Association
- No meetings scheduled.
Community events
Lakewood Playhouse presents “The Laramie Project”
In honoring the memory and legacy of Matthew Shepard, this production of “The Laramie Project” strives to inspire the community to see themselves in the citizens of Laramie and reflect on their own reaction to recent attacks on the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, locally and nationally. With a cast composed of local actors, this production will bring a whole new perspective on the work by putting community at the center of the storytelling and offering space for conversation and reflection. What can we learn about ourselves by examining the words and actions of another community?
The show runs Feb. 21-March 9, 2025, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. The “pay what you can” and industry night is Sunday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Call the Box Office at (253) 588-0042 or visit www.lakewoodplayhouse.org to book tickets online.
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.
Road project updates
Steilacoom Boulevard Weller to 87th Ave: The contractor continues work on the north side of Steilacoom Blvd by installing new storm system components before placing new curb & gutter, sidewalks, and curb ramps. Concrete work is expected begin next week or the week after.
84th and Pine: Contract work is complete; final inspections pending.
Rose Road Sanitary Sewer Project: Work is anticipated to start in early March. The contractor will be placing “no parking” signage the week of 2/24.
South Tacoma Way Overlay 96th to Steilacoom Blvd.: Miles Resources is expected to start work in March.
South Tacoma Way & 92nd signal replacement: Work is expected to begin in March.
South Tacoma Way 88th to North city limits: Work is expected to start late March or early April. Lakewood Water District is currently in this vicinity installing new water main ahead of the City’s capital improvement project; their work is anticipated to occur Mon-Saturday until they are done with their project.
Bridgeport Way 75th to north city limits: Pierce County Sewer has an emergency repair starting of its interceptor line along Bridgeport Way through the entire city limits and into University Place. They will start reducing traffic lanes soon. For more information visit Pierce County’s website.
Parks project updates
American Lake Park: Construction continues on the upland retaining walls. The new 16-foot by 20-foot shelter is installed. Completion is anticipated by June.
Wards Lake Park Improvements: Clearing of invasive species throughout the park is underway and restoration of the existing pedestrian bridges has begun. Grading for the new bridge abutments spanning Wards Lake are anticipated to begin next week. The 35-acre park will remain closed through November 2025 while the city’s contractor makes major upgrades to this park.
The Big One: Relocation of the Tenzler Log: Construction of a shelter around the log is complete. The log was refinished to protect and seal the monument, and installation of a wire mesh to protect the round is nearing completion. Seeding will be installed once the weather warms up before the official “unveiling” of the round in its new home at Fort Steilacoom Park.
Westlake Avenue Street End Pilot project: The Parks and Recreation Community Advisory Board is hosting a public meeting March 8 at the end of Westlake Avenue from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to talk to neighbors about developing the street end into a public access point for Lake Steilacoom. This is an opportunity to share thoughts on the city’s plans to increase public access to the lake. Look for the City of Lakewood pop up tent on site for the meeting.
Chambers Creek Trail. The city partnered with Pierce County and University Place on a project to improve access along Chambers Creek between the City of Lakewood and University Place. Pierce County recently completed the construction of a boardwalk. Pierce County Trails crews will begin work on the soft surface portion of this trail this month. The first section of the trail will open to the public in spring 2025, with the remaining two sections of trail opening throughout the spring and summer as trail crews complete work. The public should expect trail closures during this work.Please be aware of trail signage and stay on the open trails.
Other park projects planned for 2025:
Primley Park playground replacement: A community work day is postponed due to delays in delivery of the new playground equipment.
Oakbrook Park: A new picnic shelter is on order and design is ongoing for a trail inside the park permitter that will be installed before the busy summer season.
New park signs: Park signs will be replaced this year with updated designs. Expect the signs in place by summer.
Historic H-Barn revitalization: Grants and community funding continues to come in to support the preservation of the H-barn at Fort Steilacoom Park. Local nonprofit Partners for Parks is working to raise $3.5 million to match a $4 million commitment from the city. Design work will start in early spring to determine building and code needs, as well as cost estimates.
Harry Todd pickleball courts: Four new pickleball courts will be developed at Harry Todd Park this year. The city has submitted permits for this work. The courts should be available for public use by fall 2025.
Nisqually Loop Trail Fort Steilacoom Park: In partnership with the Nisqually Tribe the city will install several interpretive exhibits along the Nisqually Loop Trail in the southeast area of the park. The exhibits will be located along a 1-mile trail and include Nisqually art, educational information and Lushootseed language. Construction is anticipated to occur late summer-fall of 2025.