Lakewood Weekly Bulletin October 2, 2026

Thank You for Joining Us at Fiesta de la Familia!

Thank you to everyone who came out to Fort Steilacoom Park for Fiesta de la Familia. Your energy and enthusiasm made this celebration of culture and community a great day for all.

There was something for everyone, including dancing horses, mariachi music, charros showing their roping skills, delicious food, art activities, roaming performers, and the community ofrenda. A special thank you to everyone who participated in the car show, Mexican loteria, children’s parade, face painting, and all the activities throughout the day.

We are grateful to our performers, vendors, community partners, volunteers, and everyone who helped bring Fiesta de la Familia to life. Thank you for celebrating with us and for making Fiesta de la Familia a true celebration of family, culture, and community. We look forward to seeing you again next year!

Save the Date: Truck and Tractor Day

Truck & Tractor Day happens every year and welcomes people of all ages. You can decorate pumpkins, make crafts, play games, and try out a giant slingshot for pumpkin chucking. Kids can climb on big trucks and tractors, sit in the driver’s seat, and honk the horn. Each family gets a free pumpkin, and kids can enjoy hayrides and receive hard hats while supplies last.

The event will also feature food trucks, market vendors, and local community groups.

Parking is free for everyone attending.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026

Time: 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Location: Fort Steilacoom Park, 8714 87th Ave SW, Lakewood, WA 98498

LeMay Fall Community Clean Up

Bring trash, junk, and recyclables to the Lakewood Transfer Station for the city’s fall Community Cleanup Saturday, Oct. 24 and Sunday, Oct. 25, from 8 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. (last vehicle admitted at 1:45 p.m.).

This event is free for Lakewood residents only; you must bring a utility bill or ID to show proof of residence.

Participants should be prepared to back up a steep ramp, unload all items themselves, bag all loose items, and wear proper footwear.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 24 & Sunday, Oct 25

Time: 8 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Location: Lakewood Transfer Station, 3869 94th St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499

Additional rules:

  • 5-minute limit to unload items
  • No box vans or vehicles taller than 7 feet
  • Trailers over 4 feet by 8 feet prohibited
  • Unsafe vehicles may be cited

Accepted Items
• Tires (removed from rims)
• Bicycles
• Furniture
• Grills
• Appliances
• Recyclables
• Bagged garbage

Not Accepted Items
• Commercial waste
• Loose items
• Paint/hazardous materials
• Yard waste
• Construction waste
• Lumber longer than 8 feet
• Concrete
• Auto parts
• Explosive materials
• Propane tanks
• Electronics
• Donations
• Mattresses

Attend a Wellness Class This Fall

Registration is open for all classes and sessions. Use the registration link to find the class and time that works best for you.

All classes are held at the Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park, 9107 Angle Lane SW. Parking is available behind the building or along the fence near the city park maintenance shop.

Please visit https://cityoflakewood.us/recreation-programs/ to register!

Gentle Yoga: Gentle Yoga is perfect for beginners. This class focuses on slow, mindful movements that honor your body’s natural rhythm. Through accessible poses, breath awareness and other techniques, you’ll build strength, flexibility and inner peace. This class welcomes all bodies and abilities, come as you are!

Fusion Yoga: This dynamic yet accessible class blends gentle, vinyasa, traditional and yin yoga elements into one session. Each session is thoughtfully crafted and adapted to meet the unique needs and energy of the students, creating a personalized experience. No matter what your favorite style of yoga is, you’ll find something that works for you in this class.

Yin Yoga: Experience the healing combination of Yin Yoga’s Passive stretches and Reiki’s gentle energy work. In this meditative style of yoga, you’ll hold supportive poses for extended periods of time. This unique fusion promotes relaxation and releases stored tension in the body and mind.

Qigong: Qigong, pronounced “chi gong,” was developed in China thousands of years ago as part of traditional Chinese medicine. It uses exercises to optimize energy in the body, mind, and spirit, with the goal of improving and maintaining health and well-being. This Qigong class is designed to stimulate the 12 meridians and will include Meridian Tapping, breathwork, and warm-ups. Practicing Qigong in the morning promotes a calm, focused mindset, increases energy, and sets a positive tone for the rest of the day! Qigong is based on a series of forms depicted in the famous silk paintings excavated from the Mawangdui temple in Changsha, Hunan Province.

Intermediate Tai Chi: Tai chi can help reduce the risk of falling and improve balance and flexibility. This class teaches participants ways to improve their overall mind, body, and spirit through a series of slow, continuous movements. It does not matter how strong, flexible, or active you are, as Tai chi is designed for people at all levels of health. With over 30 years of experience, instructor Ronny Llanos will teach an Abbreviated Yang Style form. You will walk away with tools to help with stress reduction, cardiovascular function, balance and posture, arthritic conditions, lowering high blood pressure, and more!

Lakewood Street Sweeping Focuses on Fall Leaf Cleanup

As fall arrives in Lakewood, residents can expect increased street-sweeping activity throughout October and November.

The City has identified several High Organic Debris Areas (HODA) that street sweepers focus on during this time of year. These areas are particularly important as trees begin dropping leaves and other organic debris onto roadways. The city map below highlights the roads included in the HODA routes so residents can see where additional sweeping is scheduled.

Residents can help make street sweeping as thorough and efficient as possible by keeping vehicles and trash cans off the street on non-pickup days. Clear streets allow sweepers to reach more of the roadway and collect leaves and debris that can otherwise build up along curbs and gutters. Your cooperation makes a real difference in keeping our neighborhood clean and safe!

Donuts with the Lakewood Police Department

The Lakewood Police Department was happy to take part in a special tradition at Custer Elementary. Two students got a ride to school from Lakewood Police officers, and their class also enjoyed some donuts. We value chances like this to connect with students, build positive relationships, and spend time with our community. Thank you to Custer Elementary for welcoming our officers, and to the Original House of Donuts for kindly donating donuts for the students!

Pierce College Employee Art Show Comes to Lakewood City Hall

Pierce College employees’ artwork will be on display at Lakewood City Hall this fall as part of the Pierce College Employee Art Show. Join us for a reception on October 19 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. to celebrate the artists and their work. The exhibition will remain on display at City Hall through December 30, 2026.

Admission is free, and the community is invited to attend.

Upcoming October Neighborhood Association meetings

  • Lake City Neighborhood Association
    • Meets: Second Thursday of every month.
    • Next Meeting Dates: Oct. 8, Nov. 11
    • Time: 7:00 p.m.
    • Location: West Pierce Fire & Rescue Station 22
    • Facebook
  • Tillicum/Woodbrook Neighborhood Association
    • Meets: Second Tuesday of every month
    • Next Meeting Dates: Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 8
    • Time: 6:30 p.m.
    • Location: Tillicum Community Center
    • Contact: [email protected], 253-988-2536
    • Facebook
  • Downtown Neighborhood Association
    • Meets: Second Wednesday of every month
    • Next Meeting Dates: Oct. 14, Nov. 11, Dec. 16
    • Time: 6:00 p.m.
    • Location: Redeem Church 9315 Gravelly Lake Dr SW, Lakewood, WA 98499
    • Facebook
  • Fort Steilacoom Neighborhood Association
    • Meets: Third Wednesday of every month, unless noted below
    • Next Meeting Dates: Oct. 20, Nov. 17
    • Time: 6:30 p.m.
    • Location: Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park, 9107 Angle Ln SW, Lakewood, WA 98498
    • Facebook
  • Oakbrook Neighborhood Association Meeting
    • Meets: Third Tuesday, every other month in odd months
    • Next Meeting Date: Nov. 17
    • Time: 6:30 p.m.
    • Location: Oakbrook Elementary School

Plant Trees for More Shade, a Cooler Home, and Cleaner Water

Looking to add more trees to your yard and help keep local water clean, all without spending too much? The Urban Tree Sale from Pierce Conservation District makes it simple and affordable to plant new trees.

From now until November 7th, you can choose from several types of trees, each over 6 feet tall and in 5 to 7 gallon containers, for only $10 to $30. When you buy a tree, you’ll also get a free workshop on planting, tips to help your tree grow well, and a watering bucket for deep watering.

Put planting a tree on your to-do list today: https://www.pcdwaterquality.com/tree-sale

Free Dental Care For Veterans

AMVETS Post 1, in partnership with Compassion Washington and Harkness Furniture & Mattress, is proud to host a Free Veterans Dental Event for those who have served our nation.

Date: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Location: AMVETS Post 1, 5717 Tyler Street, Tacoma, WA 98409

  • Free dental services for Veterans
  • No appointment necessary
  • First Come, First Served

This is a wonderful opportunity for Veterans to receive needed dental care at no cost. Please share this post with fellow Veterans, family members, and friends who may benefit from these services.

Thank you to Compassion Washington, the volunteer dental professionals, and Harkness Furniture & Mattress for helping make this event possible.

Look For Your Ballot Starting Oct. 13!

The 2026 General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Pierce County voters can find information about voter registration, ballots, drop box locations, and other election services through Pierce County Elections.

Ballots will begin arriving in voters’ mailboxes on October 13. If you do not receive your ballot or have questions about your ballot, contact Pierce County Elections at 253-798-VOTE (8683) or [email protected].

Ballot drop boxes will be available beginning October 16 and will remain open 24 hours a day through 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. A ballot drop box is located outside Lakewood City Hall at 6000 Main St. SW, Lakewood, WA 98499. Additional drop box locations are available throughout Pierce County.

Voters who are not registered, or who need to update their voter registration, may do so online or by mail through October 26. Voters may also register or update their registration in person through 8 p.m. on Election Day at the Pierce County Elections Office, located at 2401 S. 35th St., Room 200, Tacoma, WA 98409.

For more information, visit PierceCountyElections.org or contact Pierce County Elections at 253-798-VOTE (8683) or [email protected].

The Lakewood Youth Council meets on Monday, Oct. 5, at 4:45 p.m. at Lakewood City Hall. The Youth Council works with City Council to demonstrate how City decisions impact the youth of Lakewood. https://cityoflakewood.us/youth-council/

The Lakewood Arts Commission meets Monday, Oct. 5 at 5:00 p.m. at Lakewood City Hall. The Lakewood Arts commission assesses needs, establish priorities and make recommendations for the enrichment of the community and promotion of its cultural vitality through the arts. https://cityoflakewood.us/lakewood-arts-commission/

The Public Safety Advisory Committee meets Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 5:15 p.m. at Lakewood City Hall. The Public Safety Advisory Committee provides citizen input to the City Council about public safety policies. https://cityoflakewood.us/public-safety-advisory-committee/

Lakewood City Council is hosting a Special Meeting, Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 6:00 p.m. At Lakewood City Hall. City departments will be giving presentations of the 2027-2028 Proposed Biennial Budget. https://cityoflakewood.us/city-council/city-council-agendas/

The City Council met on Monday, Sept. 21 for a Regular Meeting. You can watch or listen to the meeting below.

What’s on Deck:

October 5, 2026, Regular Meeting, 7:00 P.M.

  • Proclamation recognizing October, 2026 as Filipino American History Month – Phoebe Isip, Student President, Clover Park High School Bayanihan Cultural Society
  • Proclamation recognizing October, 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month – Nadia Van Atter, Director, Crystal Judson Family Justice Center
  • Proclamation recognizing October 4 – 10, 2026 as Fire Prevention Week – Scotch Broom Volunteer Group
  • Recognition of 2026 Youth Academy Participants
  • Youth Council Report
  • Appointing Lincoln Estrada to serve as the Youth Councilmember on the Lakewood’s Promise Advisory Board for the 2026-2027 school year
  • Reappointing Shauna Alexandra, Sylviann Estrella, Faaluaina Pritchard and Lani Neil to serve on the Lakewood Arts Commission through October 15, 2029
  • Ordinance adopting amendments to Lakewood Municipal Code Titles 1, 5, 8, 17, AND 18, the 2026 Annual Development Regulations
  • Ordinance relating to cannabis businesses; amending LMC 18A.10.180, Definitions; LMC 18A.20.080, Review and approval authorities; LMC 18A.40.027, Zoning Use Table Summary; LMC 18A.40.030, Zoning Use Table Air Corridor and Clear Zone; and LMC 18A.80.030, Zoning district parking requirements; adding a new section LMC 18A.40.113, Cannabis businesses; repealing LMC 18A.40.160, Marijuana prohibited, and replacing it with a new LMC 18A.40.160, Cannabis businesses; and adding a new Chapter 5.65 to Title 5 of the Lakewood Municipal Code establishing a cannabis specialty business license
  • Resolution expressing support for the Pierce Transit, Proposition No.1 Maintaining and Expanding Local Transit Service Sales, coming before the voters on November 3, 2026
  • Unfinished Business: Motion No. 2026-71 Approving the 2027-2028 City Council Goals and Priorities – continued from September 21, 2026
  • Reports by the City Manager – Review of the 2027-2028 Proposed Biennial Budget

October 7, 2026, Special Meeting, 6:00 P.M.

  • Department Presentations of the 2027-2028 Proposed Biennial Budget
  • City Council
  • City Manager
  • Parks, Recreation & Community Services
  • Police Department
  • Legal Department

Each week, the Lakewood Police Department shares a summary of total calls for service from the prior week. The intent of the summary is to provide a snapshot of how the department works to keep the community safe.

Statistics for the week of Sept. 22 – 29

  • Calls for Service: 868 (-4% from prior week)
  • Arrests: 32 (-22% from prior week)
  • Violent Crime: 27 (-18% from prior week)
  • Property Crime: 41 (-9% from prior week)
  • Traffic Stops: 55 (-43% from prior week)
  • Collisions (reportable): 20 (+18% from prior week)

Sign up for Lakewood Alert

Sign up to receive emergency alerts from the City of Lakewood through our new notification system. Lakewood Alert features a fresh look and a simpler sign-up process.

If you signed up previously, your contact information was transferred to the new platform. Now is a good time to review and update your details if needed.

These alerts will primarily be used for emergencies where life safety is at risk. The system will also be used sparingly for non-emergencies, such as missing persons, traffic congestion, and extreme weather notifications.

When you register to receive alerts, you can select the types of messages and your preferred communication method. You can adjust these settings at any time.

Subscribe: Scan the QR code or visit CityofLakewood.Us/Lakewood-Alert

ACTIVE ROAD CLOSURES:

Wadsworth/Silcox/Boat Sewer Extension: Sewer construction on Silcox, Wadsworth, Boat, and 88th is complete. The contractor will continue restoring the roadways over the next week, with paving scheduled for late the week of October 5 or early the following week.

Custer Road – Bridgeport to 75th: Custer Road reopened on September 26 with one lane in each direction. The contractor will keep one lane closed in each direction for the next couple of weeks while they finish raising utility castings, restoring behind the sidewalk, installing street lighting, permanent signing, and striping. Striping is tentatively planned for the evenings of October 14-16. The roadway will need to be closed those nights beginning at 8:00 P.M. each night. That work is weather-dependent.

UPCOMING ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS:

Kendrick Street – 111th to 108th & 111th Street – Bridgeport to 112th: The project will be advertised for construction on October 7. Bids are expected to be opened on October 21. Construction is expected to start in December or January. This project will implement a green street concept with new pavement, curbs, bike lanes, sidewalks, planters, street lighting, storm drainage, and water main replacement along Kendrick between 111th and 108th Street. 111th Street will have similar improvements but will not include street lighting.

The Park Legacy Plan is an important document that captures the needs of Lakewood’s future park system.  The draft plan was online for resident review and comment through September 30.  Comments will be compiled and will be used to finalize the plan for adoption, slated for the November 2 Council meeting.

Camp Murray Boat Launch Master Plan.  This plan examines opportunities for potential development at the Camp Murray Boat Launch, currently operated by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.  The master plan includes concept drawings of potential improvements and will also recommend funding and future operations.  The Master Plan is in its final stages of completion based on steering committee and public input, and is slated to go before City Council in November.

Capital projects in design and development:

  • Nisqually Interpretive Trail Loop at Fort Steilacoom Park – This project is now in production, with interpretative signs and materials being ordered for installation late this year. The project was developed in partnership with the Nisqually Indian Tribe and is primarily supported by grant funding from the Department of Commerce.
  • Westlake Street End Pilot Project – This project is in the contracting phase.  Westlake Avenue is the City’s first street end development. The City previously assessed the existing conditions and development potential of these lakefront sites  through a street end water access study conducted in 2022.  See https://cityoflakewood.us/lakefrontstreetends to learn more.
  • Edgewater Park – This project is in design.  This project will both protect and improve the shoreline, improve parking and access, and replace the existing boat launch.  Project permitting is slated to begin in fall 2026 and extend into 3Q 2027 because of the rezoning of portions of the park, the complexity of shoreline development, and extensive local and state agency review.
  • H–Barn Restoration at Fort Steilacoom Park – The City is working with Partners for Parks on the design and fundraising for this project.  The project is slated for 60% design completion and a fundraising update in December 2026.
  • Oakbrook & Primley Park – These neighborhood parks will receive accessibility and amenity improvements in early 2027.

You can learn more about all Park plans and projects at: https://cityoflakewood.us/parks-and-recreation/parks-capital-projectspital-projects