City Hall Holiday Closure
City Hall will close at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24th and will remain closed on Christmas, Thursday December 25th. City Hall will reopen Friday, December 26th at 8:30 a.m.
On behalf of the City of Lakewood, we wish the community Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!
Thank You for the Parade of Lights & Tree Lighting!
We thank the community, both parade participants and folks who came out, for another amazing Parade of Lights & Tree Lighting! Here are a few photos from the event. Look out for a full album upload on our City website.
Wards Lake Park Open
After a year-long closure, the park has reopened as of December 10th, featuring stunning improvements to inspire walking and wildlife viewing as well as active play on the new pump track. We would like to thank the public for your patience during construction and look forward to feedback from those who visit the updated and expanded park. A park celebration and ribbon cutting will be planned for spring of 2026.
You can enter the park from 84th & Pine St. on the north end, 88th Street South for easy access to the new dog park, and 25th Ave S at the new south park entry.
Thank you for your patience throughout the renovation. We can’t wait for you to explore everything that’s new — see you out in the park!
Take our Parks Legacy Plan Survey
We want to hear your thoughts on Lakewood parks! The city is updating its Parks Legacy Plan and we want to know what you think of our parks and would like to see in the future. Visit the Legacy Plan webpage to stay up to date or attend an outreach event. Your voice will help shape the future of Lakewood’s open spaces, parks, and recreation programming.
Thank You for the Jingle Bell Fun Run!
Here are some pictures from the Jingle Bell Fun Run last Saturday.
Yoga begins January 5th
Give the gift of wellness for the new year! Starting January 5th, check out Gentle Yoga, Fusion Yoga, and Yin Yoga at the Fort Steilacoom Park Pavilion. Details and registration found here: https://cityoflakewood.us/recreation-programs/
Council Corner
City Council met on Monday Dec. 15th for a Regular Meeting and Study Session. Watch below.
What’s on Deck. The Lakewood City Council meets Monday, Jan. 5, for a Regular Meeting at 7 p.m. Tentative agenda items include:
- Swearing-In Ceremony
- Nomination and Election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor
- Proclamation declaring January 19, 2026 as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
- Youth Council Report
- Clover Park School District Report
- Awarding a bid for the 112th Street SW – Farwest Drive to Holden Road Sidewalk Project
- Authorizing the execution of an addendum to the agreement with AHBL to assist with on-call permit review
- Authorizing the execution of an addendum to the agreement with Thompson Electrical Constructors for electrical services project
How to attend: Attend in person at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW. Attend virtually via Zoom(or dial 253-215-8782 and enter meeting ID: 868 7263 2373), or watch live on the city’s YouTube channel.
Police Chief’s Corner
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. To see quarterly statistical analysis, visit the Lakewood Police Department crime statistics page on the city website.
Weekly Calls for Service Dec. 9 – Dec. 16
- Calls for Service: 957 (+13% from prior week)
- Arrests: 44 (+57% from prior week)
- Violent Crime: 22 (+22% from prior week)
- Property Crime: 61 (+39% from prior week)
- Traffic Stops: 78 (-9% from prior week)
- Collisions (reportable): 28 (+33% from prior week)
Attend a Neighborhood Association meeting in 2025
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 of Lakewood aims to not only better connect the community, but also help residents better understand city processes.
There are currently six Neighborhood Associations in Lakewood. Five meet regularly. The meeting times and locations are listed below. All residents are invited and encouraged to attend an upcoming meeting for their respective neighborhood. Find out more about the Neighborhood Connections Program online.
Meetings:
- Downtown Neighborhood Association
- Meeting Dates: Done for December
- Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Location: Interim Lakewood Library, 10202 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW
- Fort Steilacoom Neighborhood Association
- Meeting Dates: None in December
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Location: The Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park, 9107 Angle Lane SW
- Lake City Neighborhood Association
- Meets: Second Thursday of every month
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Lake City West Pierce Fire & Rescue Station, 8517 Washington Blvd
- Tillicum/Woodbrook Neighborhood Association
- Meets: Second Tuesday of each month
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Tillicum-American Lake Gardens Community Center, 14916 Washington Ave SW, or Manic Meatballs,14815 Union Ave SW
- Contact: [email protected]
- Springbrook Community Meetings
- Meets: Third Thursday of each month
- Time: 4:30 p.m.
- Location: Springbrook Park
- North Lakewood Neighborhood Association
- Meets: No meetings scheduled
- Contact: [email protected]
Road project updates
Steilacoom Boulevard Weller to 87th Ave: Private utility crews continue working to perform all communication line transfers and will remove the old utility poles throughout the project site. Once the utility poles have been removed, the City’s contractor will return to resume work on concrete flatwork (weather pending). Additional storm drainage remediation is complete.
South Tacoma Way & 92nd signal replacement: : Contractor set signal poles this week. Signal activation anticipated in January.
South Tacoma Way – 88th to north city limits: This contract is currently on suspension pending the final signal turn on at 84th and South Tacoma Way. The turn on has tentatively been scheduled for early January to accommodate Pierce County’s schedule and the delivery of the final equipment needed for the system.
Nyanza Rd Improvements: New storm drainage system components are actively being installed throughout the project site. Crews have installed line & stake for the placement of new curb & gutter throughout a portion of the project limits. Concrete placement will occur as the weather permits. Demolition at the north connection of Nyanza and Gravelly Lake Drive is expected to commence within the next two weeks in preparation for the placement of concrete curb & gutter and the roundabout center island. North and southbound travel is closed to thru traffic on Nyanza between the north and south connections at Gravelly Lake Drive; drivers are advised to follow the detour signs. Traffic is unable to travel onto Gravelly Lake Drive from Nyanza on the north end. East/west traffic on Gravelly Lake Drive at the north end of Nyanza is alternating directions via temporary traffic control devices.
Interlaaken/112th/Idlewild: The City’s contractor began placing concrete sidewalks on Idlewild last week. Additional concrete work will occur as the weather permits. Grading work continues behind the new curb in preparation for the placement of new concrete sidewalks. Eastbound 112th is closed to traffic between Idlewild and Interlaaken. Southbound traffic on Idlewild Rd is provided for Idlewild Elementary traffic ONLY and is completely closed south of the school’s driveway to 112th; Northbound traffic is open at 112th and past the school on Idlewild.
Pierce County Bridgeport Way sewer repair: The full sewer bypass is up and running along Bridgeport Way West and Meadow Park Road West in Lakewood and University Place. It will remain in place until repairs are completed. With the bypass in place and cleaning underway, we will soon be able to provide a more detailed timeline based on the extent of the preparation work required.
Sewer pipe repair began the week of November 10. The repair involves lining the existing pipe. Crews are expected to begin lining the section of pipe under Bridgeport Way West on Thursday, November 20.
For more information about the project, visit www.PierceCountyWa.gov/BridgeportRepair
What You Can Expect:
- The speed limit is reduced to 20 mph through the work area. Drivers should expect delays.
- Additional lane closures are required on Bridgeport Way West between Flanegan Road West and Meadow Park Road West beginning Nov. 20.
- One lane of traffic will be open in each direction through this area.
- These lane closures will be in place 24/7 through mid-December.
- Further lane closures will be necessary after this phase is completed.
Please plan for brief delays or consider taking an alternate route, if possible. For more information about the sewer repair project, visit www.PierceCountyWa.gov/BridgeportRepair
Park project updates
Legacy Plan Update 2026: Survey out now. Go take it an encourage your community to share more about parks and programming in Lakewood. Survey linked here: Parks and Recreation Survey – Six Year Comprehensive Park Plan 2026 Visit the Legacy Plan page on the city’s website to find more updates: Lakewood Parks Legacy Plan If you have any questions, please reach Daví de la Cruz, Parks Capital Project Manager at [email protected].
Edgewater Park Development: Park development is underway as of early August, following the successful award of several grants supporting the project. Improvements will include a new boat launch, Portland Loo restroom, swimming beach, fishing pier, landscape and habitat improvements, and ROW & trail development supporting accessible use. The project will be developed over the next couple of years following construction design development, engineering and permit approval. Anticipated construction will occur summer through fall of 2027. The project is currently in design development.
American Lake Boat Launch Closure: The American Lake Park Boat Launch parking gate is closed for maintenance on the boat launch and will remain closed to the public through project completion. The park itself will remain open.
For alternative public boat access to American Lake, please enter through Camp Murray Boat Launch in the Tillicum Neighborhood. A discover pass or daily pass is required for use of this facility.
Nisqually Trail partnership project: This project will build stops along an approximately one-mile trail within Fort Steilacoom Park to highlight the Nisqually Tribe’s past, present and future and their connection to the prairie lands at the park. The installation of several interpretive elements of this project will occur this winter. Installation of tile artwork on the existing kiosks featuring Nisqually basket weaving and camas has just been completed, and the remaining project elements are anticipated to go out to bid this winter.
Harry Todd Improvements: Pickleball courts and parking lot maintenance are complete, keep an eye out for a spring event to celebrate the completion of this work.
Park Sign Replacement: New signs are complete!
Primley Park Playground Replacement: The new playground is open to the public, additional ADA parking stall and pathway are under design and permitting and coming soon.
Westlake Ave Street End Pilot Project: Permitting and design are underway with the goal of starting construction in late spring 2026. Vehicles blocking access or found driving into these undeveloped rights-of-way will be reported for removal.
Oakbrook Park Improvements: Design and permitting for a shelter and perimeter pathway are underway. We anticipate construction to start early 2026.