The Big One, a large Douglas fir round, is lifted by a crane out of the roof of the old Lakewood library building on June 13, 2024.

‘The Big One’ gets a new home in Fort Steilacoom Park

June 13, 2024 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. Today, the Tenzler Log, affectionately called “The Big One”, found a new home. With ease and skill, a crew from Omega Morgan used …

Stacey Reding, Capital Projects Manager for Lakewood Parks, Recreation and Community Services holds an award with the Lakewood City Council after the city was recognized for its Springbrook Park improvements.

Lakewood recognized for Springbrook Park improvements

June 7, 2024 The City of Lakewood recently received the 2024 Spotlight Award from the Washington Recreation and Parks Association (WRPA) for the development and renovation of Springbrook Park.  The Spotlight Award highlights excellence and achievement in the field of parks and recreation by honoring the efforts of public agencies for projects that display the highest standards in design, development, …

City Manager's Bulletin May 24, 2024

Lakewood City Manager’s Weekly Bulletin: May 24, 2024

Recognizing Memorial Day Memorial Day is a day of reflection. It is a day to give thanks and show our gratitude to those in American who stepped up to serve their country. Whether they volunteered or were drafted into service, they paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend our country and help others in need. This Memorial Day we recognize and …

A do not enter sign placed in front of the Interlaaken Bridge that closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic on May 17, 2024.

Interlaaken Bridge emergency closure

May 17, 2024 The Interlaaken Bridge is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic. The closure will remain in place indefinitely. The full closure is the result of further analysis by a contracted structural engineering firm that identified a high rate of deterioration among wood beams that comprise the bridge structure. The city previously replaced some of the beams during …

Map of the Interlaaken Bridge closure from May 2024

Interlaaken Bridge emergency closure required

May 15, 2024 Starting Thursday, May 16, 2024 the Interlaaken Bridge will be reduced to one way traffic. This emergency closure is required due to recently discovered structural deficiencies. Traffic will only be allowed to drive one way on the bridge from east to west. This means traffic crossing the bridge to head toward Lakewood Towne Center is not allowed …

From left to right: Lakewood City Manager John Caulfield, Lakewood Deputy Mayor Mary Moss, South Sound Military and Communities Partnership Director Bill Adamson, former Lakewood City Councilmember John Simpson and Lakewood Mayor Jason Whalen

Deputy Mayor Mary Moss, Lakewood leaders, inducted into JBLM Civilian Hall of Fame

April 1, 2024 Lakewood Deputy Mayor Mary Moss was inducted into the JBLM Civilian Hall of Fame March 27, 2024. She shared the honor with South Sound Military and Communities Partnership Director Bill Adamson and former Lakewood City Councilmember and career journalist John Simpson. The three inductees have played an instrumental role in the success of Lakewood and the surrounding …

The Lakewood City Council presented the March 2024 Business Showcase to Casa Mia Italian Restaurant owners Gerald and Jamie Pense at its March 18, 2024 regular meeting.

March 2024 Business Showcase: Casa Mia Italian Restaurant

March 22, 2024 Casa Mia Italian Restaurant owners Gerald and Jamie Pense grew up in the Aberdeen/Hoquiam area near the original Casa Mia. In fact, Gerald lived only two blocks from the restaurant. When he was a teenager, his first job was at the restaurant. Today, the Penses are proud owners of the Lakewood Casa Mia Italian Restaurant. They’ve owned …

Cover of the Spring 2024 Lakewood Connections magazine

Lakewood Spring Connections in homes now

March 15, 2024 The Spring 2024 Lakewood Connections magazine was mailed this week to all Lakewood residences. This is the city’s quarterly publication that shares information about what’s happening in the city. Pick up your copy today to learn about what we have planned for 2024. There is a comprehensive list of upcoming events from now through December. Readers will …

City Manager's Weekly Bulletin March 8, 2024

Lakewood Manager’s Bulletin: March 8, 2024

New Building Code Amendments The Lakewood City Council adopted amendments to the city’s building code at its March 4, 2024, regular meeting. The updates go into effect March 15, 2024. The changes reflect amendments made to the International Building Code. The International Building Code amendments were adopted in 2021, however they were not implemented immediately due to multiple court cases. …

Members of the Lakewood City Council from 1996 cut a blue ribbon at People's Plaza to celebrate the incorporation of the city and its first "city hall". Gen. Bill Harrison is in the front with Dr. Claudia Thomas. Both served as Mayor for the city over the course of their time with the city.

Celebrating our ‘Golden’ birthday

March 1, 2024 Twenty-eight years ago on Feb. 28, 1996, the City of Lakewood officially became a city. Voters approved the incorporation effort in 1995 after previous failed attempts. At the time of its formation Lakewood was the seventh-largest city in the state and the second-largest city in Pierce County behind Tacoma. Today it is still the second largest in …

Hidden Heroes redesigned logo in 2024

Hidden Heroes Week 3: Government & Administration

Feb. 19, 2024 The City of Lakewood, in partnership with the Clover Park School District, is highlighting the “Hidden Heroes” of our community. Each week we are featuring Black or African American professionals in the community who are making a difference.  Week three focuses on local leaders in government and administration. Patrick D. Smith, Chief of Police, Lakewood Police Department …

Sound Healing Workshop photo of a woman with a guitar singing.

Sound Healing Workshop is Feb. 24

Feb. 2, 2024 Registration is now open for a Sound Healing Workshop, held in the peaceful setting of the Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park. The workshop is Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024 from 1 to 4 p.m. At this workshop participants will spend an afternoon immersed in healing sound and Kirtan chanting, crystal singing bowls, restorative yoga and connection. Attendees will …

City Council Action

Supporting local education and the Clover Park School District

Jan. 26, 2024 At a special meeting this week, the Lakewood City Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting the Clover Park School District replacement educational programs and operations levy. The levy will be on the Feb. 13, 2024 special election ballot as Proposition 1. Lakewood City Council members shared their support for the levy at the meeting, citing its necessity …

Jose Gonzales, owner of Veterans Roofing, poses with members of the Lakewood City Council, the city's Economic Development Manager Becky Newton and Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Linda Smith. Veterans Roofing was named the January 2024 Business Showcase.

January 2024 Business Showcase: Veterans Roofing

Jan. 19, 2024 Veterans Roofing started in Lakewood 14 years ago, but owner Jose Gonzales is a life-long Lakewood resident. He graduated from Clover Park School District schools and chose to return to Lakewood to start his business. An Army veteran, Gonzales wanted to name his company something that reflected not only his values and experience, but those of the …

Hidden Heroes logo 2024 "Highlighting heroes in our community" with City of Lakewood and Clover Park School District logos

Celebrating Hidden Heroes

Jan. 18, 2024 Each year the City of Lakewood, in partnership with the Clover Park School District, celebrates “Hidden Heroes” to coincide with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month. 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. To …