Lakewood Weekly Bulletin: April 3, 2026

Lakewood Youth Council and Habitat for Humanity

Lakewood Youth Council partnered with the Habitat for Humanity and students from Cal State University San Marcos to help beautify a home in the Tillicum neighborhood Tuesday, March 31. From cement shoveling, setting fence posts, and planting trees, Alicia Nyonjo, Elija Sta Ana, Katherine Molina Nuno, and Yarley Zarco Rodriguez showed that leadership isn’t about age, but about heart.

On Monday, March 30, Jose Gonzalez Cortes joined Lisa Watt Banks at the South Sound Wildlife Area to plant trees and support critical habitat restoration efforts.

“Their work planting trees and helping build a fence for a local family reflects the spirit of service that makes our community stronger,” said Shannon Bennet, City of Lakewood Human Services Director and Youth Council lead.

Attend a Neighborhood Association Meeting in April

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 aims to better connect the community and help residents better understand city processes. The meeting times and locations are listed below. All residents are invited and encouraged to attend an upcoming meeting for their respective neighborhood. Visit the Neighborhood Connections webpage to learn more.

Meetings:

  • Oakbrook Neighborhood Association Planning Meeting
    • Meeting Date: Next Meeting TBD
    • Time: 6:00 p.m.
    • Location: Oakbrook Elementary School
  • Tillicum/Woodbrook Neighborhood Association
    • Meets: Second Tuesday of each month
    • Meeting Date: April 14
    • Time: 6:30 p.m.
    • Location: Tillicum Community Center
    • Contact: [email protected], 253-988-2536
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  • Downtown Neighborhood Association
    • Meeting Date: April 22
    • Time: 5:30 p.m.
    • Location: Interim Lakewood Library, 10202 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW
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  • Lake City Neighborhood Association
    • Meets: Second Thursday of every month.
    • Meeting Date: April 9
    • Time: 7:00 p.m.
    • Location: Lake City West Pierce Fire & Rescue Station, 8517 Washington Blvd
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  • Custer Neighborhood Association Planning Meeting
    • Meeting: Next Meeting TBD
    • Location: Dower Elementary School
    • Time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Fort Steilacoom Neighborhood Association
    • Meeting Date: April 21
    • Time: 6:30 p.m.
    • Location: The Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park, 9107 Angle Lane SW
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  • Springbrook Community Meetings
    • Meets: No meetings scheduled
    • Location: Springbrook Park
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  • North Lakewood Neighborhood Association
    • Meets: No meetings scheduled
    • Location: The Adriatic at the Oakbrook, 8102 Zircon Drive SW. RSVPs are required for each meeting for planning purposes
    • Contact: [email protected]
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Save the Date For The Upcoming Spring Art Show Reception

Whispers of Korean brings together artists of the Korean-American Artists Association of Washington (KAAW) 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: 5p.m. -7 p.m.
Location: Lakewood City Hall – 6000 Main St SW, Lakewood, WA 98498

Mayor Bocchi’s Community Coffeehouse

Lakewood residents gathered on April 1 at The Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park for Mayor Bocchi’s Community Coffeehouse, an evening focused on connection, conversation, and the future of the city’s parks and open spaces.

During the event, Mayor Bocchi and City representatives shared an update on the Lakewood Parks Legacy Plan, highlighting key insights gathered from recent community outreach efforts and survey feedback. Attendees learned how this input is shaping updates to the plan, which serves as a long-term guide for Lakewood’s parks, recreation programs, and open space management.

The discussion provided residents with a better understanding of how the Legacy Plan informs decision-making for elected officials, City staff, and the broader community. It also offered an opportunity for attendees to ask questions, share perspectives, and engage directly with City leadership.

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/

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 Lakewood Arts Commission meets Monday, April 6 at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall. The role of the Commission is to assess needs, establish priorities and make recommendations for the enrichment of the community and promotion of its cultural vitality through the arts. Attend online or in person: https://cityoflakewood.us/lakewood-arts-commission/
  • The Lake City Neighborhood Association meets Thursday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. at Lake City Fire Station, 8517 Washington Boulevard. Follow on Facebook to stay updated.

Community Partner Events and Happenings

Urban Tree Sales Continue

Want to increase canopy cover on your property while improving local water quality without breaking the bank? Pierce Conservation District’s Urban Tree Sale makes it easy to plant trees at a discounted price.
Open now through April 25, Pierce Conservation District is offering a selection of 5 to 7 gallon trees that are over 6 feet tall for just $10 to $30. Every purchase includes a free tree planting workshop, where you will learn about the benefits of trees, get step by step planting guidance to help your tree thrive, and receive a watering bucket for deep watering.

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

Notice for Public Hearing and Opportunity for Public Comment

Public Notice HUD Annual Action Plan for 2026

The Cities of Tacoma and Lakewood plan to adopt their 2026 Annual Action Plans, which outline the spending plans for federally funded housing, community and economic development, and public service activities. The Plans are required by the federal government to receive assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), for funding from the Community Development Block Grant program, the HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) program and the Emergency Shelter Grant program. As the lead entity of the HOME consortium, the Tacoma City Council will approve HOME-funded activities for both jurisdictions. This Plan also outlines involvement in funding decisions prior to the award of these funds. Following final action by the Tacoma and Lakewood City Councils, the Consolidated Plans are reviewed and subject to approval by HUD.

Planning Commission establishing NECC Program Task Forces

The Planning Commission will be convening Natural Environment and Climate Change (NECC) Program task forces starting in the spring of 2026 to gather technical expertise and lived experience information regarding climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, extreme heat, and urban forestry issues.  The task forces will meet at various times between May 2026 and June 2027.   You can learn more about the NECC Program here.  You can watch the April 1, 2026 Planning Commission discussion about the task forces here starting at 2:00. You can view more information about the task forces here.

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, March 16 for a Regular Meeting. You can watch or listen to the meeting below.

What’s on Deck: The City Council meets Monday, April 6, for a Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m. Tentative agenda items include:

  • Proclamation recognizing Parks Appreciation Day – Jason Gerwen, Chair, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
  • Proclamation recognizing April 13-17, 2026 as Black Wellness Week – Keith Blocker and Christina Blocker, Elevate Black Wellness
  • Youth Council Report
  • Authorizing the execution of a grant agreement with Washington State Military Department, in the amount of $50,009, for the Emergency Management Performance Grant
  • Authorizing the execution of an amendment to the agreement with Keller Associates to assist in updating the Lakewood Municipal Code Title 12 and the Engineering Standards Manual
  • Authorizing award of an abatement contract to DP Excavation, Inc. in the amount of $71,181.85 for the abatement of 5105 Solberg Drive SW
  • Authorizing the award of a CDBG Major Home Repair loan in the amount of $75,000 for the rehabilitation of 9005 Highland Ave. SW, including a construction contract with FRN Corporation in the amount of $68,922.60
  • Ordinance amending Lakewood Municipal Code Chapter 5.60 related to Rental Housing Licensing and Inspection Requirements
  • Ordinance enacting an additional sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent, as authorized in section 201, Chapter 350, Laws of Washington 2025, for criminal justice purposes; creating a new section to Lakewood Municipal Code, Title 3 Revenue and Finance, Chapter 3.90 One-Tenth of One Percent Public Safety Sales Tax; and providing for severability and establishing an effective date
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 24 –31, 2026

  • Calls for Service: 891 (+4% from prior week)
  • Arrests: 28 (-28% from prior week)
  • Violent Crime: 14 (-22% from prior week)
  • Property Crime: 38 (-21% from prior week)
  • Traffic Stops: 132 (+27% from prior week)
  • Collisions (reportable): 14 (+17% 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 2 – 9, 2026

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

Finishing up Construction

Steilacoom Boulevard Weller to 87th Ave:  Utility pole stubs are expected to be pulled next week. All contract work is complete for this project except for three locations which require additional concrete work. Once the pole stubs are 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.

Active Closures

Nyanza Rd Improvements: The weather window for paving has opened and crews will complete the wearing course of asphalt beginning Monday. Paving is expected to take three days. Following the final paving, the contractor will need a few days to adjust utility castings.

Nyanza Road remains closed to through traffic. Some localized flooding is expected on the roadways until the top lift of asphalt can be placed. The contractor will be working on some punch list items on that section during the inclement weather. Neighbors using Nyanza are encouraged to continue to use caution while driving through the work zone.

112th St SW – Gravelly Lake Drive (GLD) to Bridgeport Way (BPW): The last segments of sidewalk have been completed except for a single sidewalk panel that will be poured once a transmission power pole casing can be installed. Paving the road is scheduled for the week of April 13 but is highly weather dependent. 

Main Street – 59th to 108th: Main Street has reopened temporarily between 59th and 108th Street. Crews were unable to install the water and sewer lines due to ground water. Drivers are advised to adhere to the 20 MPH speed limit while traveling through the area as steel plates will remain on the roadway. The roadway will need to be closed again when the ground water drops and crews can continue to extend utilities and then restore the roadway.

Grant Ave/Orchard Sewer Extension:  The contractor will close Orchard Street between Union Avenue and Washington Avenue on Monday, April 6. Local traffic will be able to access their parcels in that block. Crews are scheduled to connect to the existing sewer line at Union Avenue and extend the new main line northwest along Orchard toward Washington Boulevard. 

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.

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 28th
  • 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!