Lakewood Weekly Bulletin April 10, 2026

Lakewood City Council Issues Proclamations for Black Wellness Week and Parks Appreciation Day

Deputy Mayor Belle welcomed Christina Blocker of Elevate Black Wellness and presented the City’s proclamation for Black Wellness Week, which takes place this year from April 13 – 17. The week aims to highlight health disparities in Black communities, support health equity, and encourage actions to improve health outcomes throughout Washington state.

Mayor Bocchi welcomed Jason Gerwin, Chair of Lakewood’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and presented the City’s proclamation for Parks Appreciation Day on April 25. The event is known for bringing residents together to help improve our parks. Activities include planting trees, removing invasive plants, and cleaning up litter. The annual event builds community pride, encourages environmental care, and helps keep our parks welcoming to everyone

ScaleUp Business Financial Resilience Course

The Economic Development Board Tacoma-Pierce County has partnered with Washington State Department of Commerce to present a course for business. ScaleUp Special Edition is a four-part series designed to help small businesses increase profitability, build capacity, and spur growth. Classes begin at the end of April and run through May 20. Instruction available in English and Spanish. The City of Lakewood and EDB partner on business retention and expansion efforts for the City. Visit the event website for more information and to register. https://mystartup365.com/programs/scaleup/

Cottage Food Industry Training Event April 23

Are you interested in starting a small business with your baking skills? The City of Lakewood and the Lakewood Chamber are offering From Kitchen to Commerce, a Cottage Food Industry training on April 23 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Chamber offices, 6310 Mt. Tacoma Drive SW. Dan Mason from the Washington State Department of Agriculture Food Safety Program will present. City of Lakewood Economic Development Manager Becky Newton will explain permitting and licensing requirements. Chamber membership is not required to attend. https://lakewood-chamber.org/rsvp-from-kitchen-to-commerce/

Save the Date For The Upcoming Spring Art Show Reception

Whispers of Korean brings together artists of the Korean American Artists Association of Washington in a collective exploration of cultural memory, identity, and artistic expression. Through diverse visual approaches inspired by both traditional and contemporary influences, the participating artists share personal narratives while honoring their shared cultural roots.

Whispers of Korean

  • Who: Korean American Artists Association of Washington State
  • Date: Monday, April 20, 2026
  • Time: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
  • Location: Lakewood City Hall – 6000 Main St SW, Lakewood, WA 98498
  • Link: https://cityoflakewood.us/art/

Senior Center Bingo Bash

Bring your friends to our Bingo Bash for an afternoon of wholesome fun! With simple gameplay, exciting prizes, and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s the perfect event … Bring your lucky charm and compete for bragging rights in this high-energy event packed with surprises

  • Date: Tuesday, April 28
  • Time: 1:00pm
  • Location: Lakewood City Hall – 6000 Main St SW, Lakewood, WA 98498

Wear your favorite hat for a chance to win a prize!

Save the Date For The Lakewood Youth Empowerment Summit

Event Details:

  • Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
  • Time: 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
  • Location: Pierce College Lakewood Campus Cascade Bldg. 4th Floor
  • Theme: You Are Going to Be Okay!
  • Format: Choose Your Own Adventure
  • Who should come: Students in grades 7-11

For more information and to register visit: https://cityoflakewood.us/youth-summit/

Let Your Child Learn While You Lounge
Parents, you are invited to join us at the “parents cafe”. Take a break and enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks while your student participates in the event.

Youth Summit Flyer
Youth Summit Parent’s Cafe Flyer
Youth Summit Bus Schedule

Help Refresh Lakewood’s Parks this Spring

Parks Appreciation Day is a great opportunity to volunteer with neighbors and friends to help clean up select Lakewood parks and prepare them for the upcoming spring and summer season.

Event Details

  • Date: 9:00 a.m. to 12p.m
  • Time: Saturday, April 25
  • Locations: Various

To learn which park sites are participating this year and how to volunteer please visit https://cityoflakewood.us/parks-appreciation/

Celebrate the Grand Opening of the Newly Renovated Wards Lake Park

The grand opening is an exciting milestone, a tribute to the Lakewood community, and a showcase of the amenities now available to explore. After years of planning, restoration, and community-driven investment, Wards Lake Park has become a vibrant, accessible, and adventure-ready destination for all ages.

Event Details

  • Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
  • Time: Noon – 2:00 p.m.
  • Location: Wards Lake Park – 2716 84th St Ct S

For more information visit https://cityoflakewood.us/wards-grand-opening/

Next Week’s City Hall and Community Engagement Events

  • The Tillicum/Woodbrook Neighborhood Association meets on Tuesday, April 14 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Tillicum Community Center. Neighborhood associations play a crucial role in fostering community engagement and improving the quality of life in local neighborhoods. Through its Neighborhood Connections program, Lakewood aims to better connect communities and help residents better understand city processes. Follow on Facebook for more information.
  • The Lakewood Planning Commission meets on Wednesday, April 15 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. The Planning Commission assists in preparing the Comprehensive Plan, zoning, and land use-related regulations for Lakewood in accordance with state law. Attend in person or online: https://cityoflakewood.us/planning-commission/
  • The Community Services Advisory Board meets on Thursday, April 16 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The Community Services Advisory Board holds public hearings to identify community and housing needs and make recommendations to the City Council.. Attend in person or online: https://cityoflakewood.us/community-services-advisory-board-2/
  • The City Council Retreat will be held on Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting may be watched live from the City of Lakewood YouTube channel, or joined via Zoom, meeting ID: 868 7263 2373.

Community Partner Events and Happenings

Sound Transit: The Enterprise Initiative
Sound Transit wants to hear your thoughts on updates to the ST3 System Plan. Your feedback will help guide the Sound Transit Board’s decisions before its May 28 meeting. Please take the survey today and share your perspective.

Sound Transit is facing financial challenges as both capital and operating costs rise. Lower revenue forecasts make it harder, leading to an estimated $34.5 billion funding gap over the next 20 years if no changes are made. To address this, the agency started the Enterprise Initiative, which aims to deliver the voter-approved ST3 program using the resources available. Staff and the Board are now looking at ways to update the plan.

All public input will be gathered and shared with the Board as they decide on next steps. Lakewood residents are encouraged to take part and make their voices heard. Take the survey to help shape the future of transit in our region. Visit the website for more information https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/achieving-long-term-affordability.

Council Corner

A photo of the Lakewood City Council Chambers with a close up shot of the City Seal and flags around it. White text reads City Council Corner.

The City Council met on Monday, April 6 for a Regular Meeting. You can watch or listen to the meeting below.

What’s on Deck: The City Council meets Monday, April 13, 2026, for a Study Session, at 7:00 p.m. Tentative agenda items include:

  • 2026 State Legislative Session Update. – Shelly Helder, Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs
  • Western State Hospital Update. – Mark Thompson and David Chipchase
  • 2026 Legacy Plan Update. – (Memorandum)
  • Review of amendment to the agreement with EXP US Services for the Natural Environment and Climate Change (NECC) Program. – (Memorandum)
  • Review of Survey and Encroachments for Street Ends identified for volunteer programing. – (Memorandum)
Graphic with deep blue background, the Lakewood Police Department patch that reads Lakewood Police WA with a city of Lakewood logo in the center and the text Police Chief's Corner in yellow at the bottom.

Each week Lakewood Police Chief Patrick D. Smith shares a summary of total calls for service for the prior week. The intent of the summary is to show a snapshot of how the department works to keep the community safe.

Weekly Calls for Service March 31 – April 7, 2026

  • Calls for Service: 950 (+7% from prior week)
  • Arrests: 45 (+61% from prior week)
  • Violent Crime: 17 (+21% from prior week)
  • Property Crime: 42 (+8% from prior week)
  • Traffic Stops: 177 (+34% from prior week)
  • Collisions (reportable): 14 (0% from prior week)
A photo of a road under construction with orange barrels on the side and loose steel. White text over the image reads Road Project Updates.

Updates for the week of April 9 – 16, 2026

*Please note the dates listed are tentative and may change due to weather or other conditions.

Active Closures

  • Nyanza Rd Improvements: Crews completed paving this week. The contractor requires a week to adjust utility castings and patch the road back. Final landscaping and driveway adjustments will be completed over the next week. Nyanza remains closed during this time. The current plan is for Nyanza Road to reopen Friday, April 17. The roadway will need to be closed again to stripe following a three-week asphalt cure period. Notice will go out for that work prior to the closure.
  • 112th St SW – Gravelly Lake Drive (GLD) to Bridgeport Way (BPW): Grading is nearing completion. Paving of the road is scheduled for the week of April 13 but is highly weather dependent. The contractor needs a week of good weather to pave the roadway. Following paving, the contractor will need a week to adjust utility castings prior to opening the roadway.
  • Main Street – 59th to 108th: Main Street near City Hall will close during daytime hours, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., from 59th Ave. to 108th Street, Wednesday April 15 through Saturday April 18. Crews will install 10 dewatering wells ahead of utility installation on Main St. The City, developer, and contractor working on the 112th Street – Gravelly Lake Drive to Bridgeport Way project understand the impacts of the closures and are working to expedite the work and reopen the roadway. A future three-week closure will be needed for Main Street utility and roadway restoration. This longer closure will occur after reopening 112th Street – Gravelly Lake Drive to Bridgeport Way. Drivers traveling Main St. during non-working hours should follow the 20 MPH speed limit as steel plates will remain on the roadway.
  • Grant Ave/Orchard Sewer Extension: Construction started on Orchard Street between Union Avenue and Washington Avenue. The roadway has been closed, though local traffic will be able to access their parcels in that block. Crews have begun and will continue to extend the sewer main line northwest along Orchard toward Washington Boulevard.

Finishing up Construction

  • Steilacoom Boulevard Weller to 87th Ave: One last utility pole remains at the intersection of Hipkins and Steilacoom. All contract work is complete for this project except for three locations which require additional concrete work. Once the final pole stub is removed, the contractor will schedule the final concrete pours.
  • South Tacoma Way – 88th to north city limits: The contractor is completing final cleanup and punch list activities.

Upcoming Construction

  • Wadsworth/Silcox/Boat Sewer Extension: Work is expected to begin on the new sewer system in June 2026. This will require full closures of these local access streets.
  • 112th Street – Farwest to Holden: Work is expected to begin on June 11, following completion of the Clover Park School District 2025-26 regular school year. It is expected that most of the traffic impact-related construction will be completed during the summer break.
  • Custer Road – Bridgeport to 75th: This project will begin on August 1 and require an approximate 60 days of full closure to remove the pavement, install utilities, widen the road for a new two-way left turn lane, curbs, and sidewalks, and pave. Striping will be completed under a separate closure in October. A detour including Bridgeport Way and 75th will be in place during construction.
  • 112th – South Tacoma Way to Steele Street: A resurfacing project along 112th Street between South Tacoma Way and Steele Street is expected to take place in the early summer months of 2026. Most of this work will require full closures of 112th Street in the night hours over the period of a week.

No updates at this time.