White text reads City Manager's Weekly Bulletin May 16, 2023 over an image of a group of teens lying on the grass in a circle with their heads in the center and their feet pointed out.

Lakewood Weekly Manager’s Bulletin: May 16, 2025

Lakewood City Council announces City Manager finalists The Lakewood City Council announced today the five finalists for the Lakewood City Manager position. Current City Manager John J. Caulfield will retire June 5, 2025. After a competitive national search, the following candidates were chosen to advance: The City Council invites the public to meet the finalists during a City Manager Finalist …

a picture of mount rainier in the background with American Lake in the foreground and trees on the far shore of the lake

Lakewood City Council announces City Manager finalists

May 16, 2025 The Lakewood City Council announced today the five finalists for the Lakewood City Manager position. Current City Manager John J. Caulfield will retire June 5, 2025. After a competitive national search, the following candidates were chosen to advance: The City Council invites the public to meet the finalists during a City Manager Finalist Public Reception on Tuesday, …

Parks and Recreation Director Mary Dodsworth holds an oversized pair of sciscors and smiles for the camera at the 2017 Waughop Lake paved path ribbon cutting

Lakewood Parks, Recreation and Community Services director announces retirement

May 16, 2024 After nearly 24 years of dedicated service to the City of Lakewood, Parks, Recreation & Community Services Director Mary Dodsworth announced she will retire effective June 13, 2025. Dodsworth leaves behind a legacy of leadership, collaboration and community-building that has shaped Lakewood into the vibrant city it is today. Dodsworth joined the City of Lakewood in July …

White text reads City Manager's Weekly Bulletin May 9, 2025 over an image of a brightly painted building at Fort Steilacoom Park

Lakewood Weekly Manager’s Bulletin: May 9, 2025

Did you know you need a permit to clear city-owned ROW? This week we learned vegetation was removed from the public right-of-way on Westlake Avenue where the street ends at Lake Steilacoom. The work that was done – removal of invasive species like blackberries – was unauthorized. This type of work requires city approval first. Specifically, removal of vegetation on …

A photo of a cleared wide swath of land where blackberry bushes were cut down and a fence wtih a blue house and white trim in the background. In the foreground green plants with blue flowers are in bloom. Someone cut down the invasive species on this city-owned street-end on Westlake Avenue sometime in the spring 2025.

Clearing public land of vegetation requires city approval

May 9, 2025 This week we learned vegetation was removed from the public right-of-way on Westlake Avenue where the street ends at Lake Steilacoom. The work that was done – removal of invasive species like blackberries – was unauthorized. This type of work requires city approval before it can be done. Specifically, removal of vegetation on the lake requires a …

Save the date invitation to the retirement celebration for City Manager John J. Caulfield

John J. Caulfield retirement reception is May 27

May 5, 2025 The public is invited to an open house reception to celebrate Lakewood City Manager John J. Caulfield. Earlier this year Caulfield announced his retirement after 12 years serving the city. Caulfield’s last day is June 5, 2025. The celebration is Tuesday, May 27, 2025 from 5:30-7 p.m. in Council Chambers at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street …

City Manager's Weekly Bulletin May 2, 2025

Lakewood Weekly Manager’s Bulletin: May 2, 2025

Ecology test shows no detectable toxins in Waughop Lake On April 16, 2025 the City of Lakewood took a sample from Waughop Lake and sent it to the state Department of Ecology and its cyanobacteria toxicity testing program. The purpose of the test was to determine whether there are detectable levels of common toxins in the lake due to harmful …

A picture of Waughop Lake taken April 30, 2025. Small lily pads are starting to open up on the water that has a green hue due to non-toxic algae blooms.

Ecology test shows no detectable toxins in Waughop Lake

May 2, 2025 On April 16, 2025 the City of Lakewood took a sample from Waughop Lake and sent it to the state Department of Ecology and its cyanobacteria toxicity testing program. The purpose of the test was to determine whether there are detectable levels of common toxins in the lake due to harmful freshwater algae that could be present. …

a picture of mount rainier in the background with American Lake in the foreground and trees on the far shore of the lake

Lakewood Comprehensive Plan nationally recognized

May 1, 2025 The American Planning Association Housing and Community Development Division recently recognized the city’s 2024 Comprehensive Plan 10-Year Update with an award in its Community Development category. The recognition was awarded at the association’s recent annual meeting. In the write up of why the city’s plan won the award the organization said: “This plan stood out for its …

A digital graphic of a piece of art from Nisqually Indian tribal artist Feather Villegas called Nisqually Pride.

Honoring ‘Nisqually Pride’

April 23, 2025 During the Nisqually Indian Tribe’s Leschi Honor Walk at Fort Steilacoom Park, the city of Lakewood marked the Nisqually Loop Trail with temporary interpretive markers to highlight the Tribes’ story and connection to the prairie.  Unfortunately, one of the signs, titled Nisqually Pride, was mislabeled, incorrectly crediting the artwork of Feather Villegas. The city of Lakewood extends …

A shot of Lakewood City Hall looking up a the building's roof line with natural wood elements and a bright blue sky as the backdrop.

City receives financial recognition from GFOA

April 4, 2025 The city of Lakewood was recently recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The association awarded the city with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).  This is the 11th consecutive year that Lakewood has received national …

Lakewood Weekly Manager’s Bulletin: March 28, 2025

Lakewood City Council workshop Saturday The Lakewood City Council meets Saturday at Lakewood City Hall to discuss its goals for the coming biennium in alignment with its recently adopted budget and its goals and objectives. The following topics will be discussed: Members of the public can attend the meeting in person at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW. Attend virtually …

Two young people use shovels to spread woodchips at a playground during a volunteer event.

Register today for Lakewood Parks Appreciation Day

March 26, 2025 Calling all volunteers! Parks Appreciation Day is 1 month away! Can you help us? We’re looking for volunteers to come together Saturday, April 26 to prepare our parks for the spring and summer seasons. We’ll be working 9 am to 12 pm. Sites where we need help include: Please pre-register. You can sign up as an individual …

An image of a painting of four women in a Ramen shot with magazine clippings framing the image. White text over the image reads: Spring Artist Reception Culture Clash: Art Edition

Spring Artist Reception: ‘Culture Clash: Art Edition!’

March 24, 2025 The first Artist Reception of 2025 is almost here! Head to Lakewood City Hall on Monday, April 7, 2025 to see artwork from the artists of the Hwa Sil Art Studio. The pieces on display come from artists who range in age from 8 to 80 years. Join us for a special artist reception to meet the …

Lakewood Farmers Market 2019 opening day, vendor Olive Branch

Lakewood Farmers Market Application now available

March 20, 2025 The Lakewood Farmers Market is now accepting applications for vendors interested in joining the 2025 market. The 2025 market season kicks off June 3 and runs for 11 weeks until Aug. 26, 2025. There are no markets on July 15 or 22. The Lakewood Farmers Market is nestled in Fort Steilacoom Park in the heart of Lakewood. …

K9 Kona, a German Shepherd, poses in front of a police SUV while wearing a bullet proof vest.

K9 Officer Kona retires after six years with Lakewood Police Department

March 19, 2025 This week, K9 Officer Kona officially retired from the Lakewood Police Department. Kona joined LPD in 2019, coming to the city from Slovakia. She was partnered with Officer Anthony Bucat, who trained with her when she first arrived. Together, Bucat and Kona completed 400 hours of training to prepare the two for the work they would do …