Big things are happening at Wards Lake Park
Tucked away along the city’s northern boundary with Tacoma sits a 22-acre sleepy site: Wards Lake Park.
This area, which includes a lake, playground and walking trails, has been closed to the public since November so the city can complete a major overhaul of its grounds.
This week a major milestone was reached: The installation of a 173-foot-long bridge spanning the lake. The bridge, weighing in at a whopping 70,000 pounds, allows park visitors to easily cross from one side of the park to the other. Along the way people will get a chance to view water fowl, wildlife and other creatures that call Wards Lake Home.
Other improvements underway include a new play structure, restrooms, dog park areas, pump track, mountain bike trails, walking trails and more. We can’t wait to showcase all this park has to offer in the coming months as we prepare for its reopening later this year.
Fireworks use this Independence Day
Fireworks stands will open across the region this weekend. But just because you can buy legal fireworks now, doesn’t mean you can use them in Lakewood.
Legal fireworks are allowed in Lakewood city limits from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4 only. Fireworks can’t be used in city parks, public right-of-way, city property or on any school property.
To report the use of fireworks outside of July 4, please use the South Sound 911 online reporting website: www.fireworksreport.com. The site will be live from 6 a.m. on June 28 through 6 a.m. on July 5. Call 911 if there’s a medical emergency, injury or active fire. Any complaints before June 28 at 6 a.m. or after July 5 at 6 a.m. should be directed to South Sound 911 non-emergency line 253-287-4455.
As a reminder, violating the Lakewood fireworks law could lead to a $75 fine.
Permissible consumer fireworks within the City of Lakewood can be found here, which is based on Washington State law. Illegal fireworks are listed here on page 2.
If there is a code enforcement issue or concern related to fireworks, such as tall grass or improper sales, please contact: West Pierce Fire & Rescue by calling 253-983-4583.
Leave the fireworks to the professionals. Instead of lighting fireworks in your neighborhood consider attending one of the many free fireworks shows in the area.
Check out this list from Visit Tacoma Pierce County of Independence Day festivities across Pierce County.
Save the date: SummerFEST is July 19
The biggest event of the South Sound is happening at Fort Steilacoom Park July 19, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
This free family-friendly festival has 30+ food trucks, a beer garden, high-adrenaline Motocross aerial stunts by Octane Addictions, high flying trapeze shows, performances by the Wenatchee Youth Circus, live music all day on the Main Stage, performances from around the world on the Lakewood Sister Cities International Stage, roaming entertainment, skimboarding, a pop-up skate park, car show, pony rides and kids zone and so much more.
New this year Seattle Ballooning is offering tethered balloon rides for $10/adult, $5/child (4-12 years) from 2-7 p.m. SANCA Flying Trapeze is also offering the public a chance to try flying trapeze for $5/swing. This is for people ages 6 and up with a 250-pound weight limit. People will be harnessed and skilled staff will assist.
The grand finale this year won’t feature a drone show, but we will have the hot air balloon glow where the tethered balloons light up against the night sky behind the Main Stage while Gimme Shelter, a Rolling Stones tribute band plays the final show of the night. The International Stage will once again feature Polynesian fire dancers at 8:45 p.m.
Head to Fort Steilacoom Park, 8714 87th Ave SW, for the not-to-be-missed event of the summer! Visit Nearcation.Com/summerfest for the full event schedule, event map and parking details. Parking is free on site. Carpooling is encouraged and free shuttles will run all day from nearby Pierce College.
Summer is in full swing at Fort Steilacoom Park
Between the Lakewood Farmers Market and our Summer Nights at the Pavilion summer concert series, Fort Steilacoom Park is the place to be on Tuesdays!
Head to The Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park every Tuesday between now and Aug. 19 for our summer concert series. Check out our summer concert photos on our Facebook page. Concerts run 6:30-8 p.m. Next week Groove Nation takes the stage and will bring its unique blend of current hits, R&B, dance, funk, classic rock, 80’s hits, disco and Latin tunes.
Swing by the Lakewood Farmers Market before heading over to the Pavilion lawn to find food, sweet treats, drinks, fresh produce and local items. The market runs every Tuesday from 2-7 p.m. See what vendors are there.
Public Hearing: 2025 Annual Development Regulations
The Lakewood Planning Commission will hold a public hearing July 2 at 6:30 p.m. to hear comments on the proposed 2025 Annual Development Regulations.
The list of items before the commission for review include:
- Hearing Examiner appeals
- Planning Commission authority and reference in code
- Road identifications in Lakewood Municipal Code Chapter 12.09
- CC&Rs and easement regulations
- Director’s interpretation
- Brewery land use and associated definitions and regulations
- Definition and regulation of mixed-use development in downtown subarea
- Required notice of Type I decisions
- Review and approval of authority for various permit types
- Signage requirements for Comprehensive Plan zoning map amendment applications
- Required record of survey for short subdivisions
- Technical corrections to Lakewood Municipal Code Chapter 18A.70.310 (C)
- New definitions in Lakewood Municipal Code Title 18A
- Allowing previously used manufactured homes in manufactured home parks
- Allowing “grocery store, large” and “general retail” uses in the C3 zone
- Refining the definition of “variance” in the LMC and allowing iconic signage for businesses that were established in the city or region
Written comments will be received and are accepted no later than 12 p.m. on July 2, 2025. People may also comment in person or virtually during the public hearing. The meeting will be held in Lakewood City Council Chambers, 6000 Main Street SW, Lakewood. Visit the Planning Commission webpage to find out how to join virtually via Zoom.
Council Corner: What’s on Deck
The Lakewood City Council meets Monday, July 7 at 7 p.m. for a regular meeting. Tentative agenda items include:
- Approving the 2026 South Sound Housing Affordability Partners (SSHA3P) budget allocation
- Authorizing the execution of an amendment to the agreement with Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare for mental healthcare professionals
- Authorizing the execution of an interlocal agreement with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services for the community partnership and police protection programs (tentative)
- Authorizing lodging tax funding allocation, the amount of $9,000, for K-pop concert
- Resolution approving a Conditional Certificate for Alliance Residential 12-year property multifamily tax exemption (MFTE)
- Resolution approving a Conditional Certificate for Springbrook II 12-year property multifamily tax exemption (MFTE)
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 call summary June 10-17, 2025
- Calls for Service: 981 (down 6% from prior week)
- Arrests: 49 (up 14% from prior week)
- Violent Crime: 20 (down 26% from prior week)
- Property Crime: 53 (down 15% from prior week)
- Traffic Stops: 136 (down 25% from prior week)
- Collisions (reportable): 15 (down 48% from prior week)
Weekly call summary June 17-24, 2025
- Calls for Service: 832 (down15% from prior week)
- Arrests: 38 (down 22% from prior week)
- Violent Crime: 23 (up 15% from prior week)
- Property Crime: 51 (down 4% from prior week)
- Traffic Stops: 142 (up 4% from prior week)
- Collisions (reportable): 17 (up 13% from prior week)
Community Events
Lakewood Playhouse final show of 86th season
There are only two weeks to go before the Lakewood Playhouse offers its final production of its 86th season. It’s final performance is “The Spitfire Grill.”
The Spitfire Grill is a celebration of human kindness, set to a melodic folk inspired score.
Performances run July 11-27 with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. There is also a Pay What You Can/Industry Night performance on Sunday, July 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: Call the Box Office at (253) 588-0042 orvisit the website to book online.
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: Aug. 13, Oct. 8, Nov. 15
- Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Location: Interim Lakewood Library, 10202 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW
- Fort Steilacoom Neighborhood Association
- Meeting Dates: Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18
- 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]
Sign up for Lakewood Alert (Code Red)
The City of Lakewood uses Code Red, an alert service, to notify residents of important information happening in the city.
If there is an emergency that requires public notification, we will use Lakewood Alert as one way to communicate. We will also post information to our website and social media channels.
Subscribers can sign up to receive text and email alerts. People can also sign up for important non-emergency updates including information about road impacts from large events in the city or information about special events.
Find out more and sign up today.
Road project updates
Steilacoom Boulevard Weller to 87th Ave: Crews completed grinding and the final pave is currently scheduled for the week of July 7. Crews are restoring behind the sidewalk and communication companies are coming in to perform the final relocations of aerial lines next week.
Rose Road Sanitary Sewer Project: Sewer work continues on Fern St. The current construction schedule has paving beginning in mid-July for the full project.
South Tacoma Way & 92nd signal replacement: Other than minor work, this project is in suspension while waiting for signal system components to be delivered.
South Tacoma Way – 88th to north city limits: Stormwater conveyance is complete. The contractor poured new concrete curb and gutter on the east side of South Tacoma Way. Electrical construction continues with light pole foundations on the east side. The landscaping contractor has completed the west side and is now progressing on the east side.
Pierce County Bridgeport Way sewer repair: Work on Bridgeport Way moved from University Place to Lakewood as Pierce County’s contractor continues its bypass work. Work will occur Monday through Friday for 10 to 12 hours every day. Initial work will have lane restrictions at Bridgeport Way and Meadow Park – one lane in each direction – 24/7. Drivers can expect backups during this time. A police officer will direct traffic during the day. At night and on the weekends there will be a 4-way stop with stop signs. For safety, the speed limit was reduced to 20 mph. The sidewalk on the east (northbound) side of Bridgeport will be closed during this time. The southbound bus stop on Bridgeport at Meadow Park Road West will be temporarily closed as well. Visit PierceTransit.org for up-to-date bus route information. For more information about this sewer construction project, visit www.PierceCountyWa.gov/BridgeportRepair
Park project updates
American Lake Park: Work continues on completing the final development details including landscaping, irrigation and handrails. We anticipate opening the park in July.
Legacy Plan Update 2026: The city is updating its Parks Legacy Plan. 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. Look for us at the Lakewood Farmer’s Market July 8 or Aug. 19 to learn more and share your thoughts. Email Capital Projects Manager David de la Cruz with questions or to request a presentation for your organization in the summer and early fall.
Nisqually Trail partnership project: This project will build stops along an approximately one-mile trail within Ft. 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. Tile mosaic artwork will be installed on two existing kiosks in the park end of this summer or early fall.
Harry Todd Improvements: Pickleball Courts are slated for completion before the end of the summer.
Park Sign Replacement: New signs will be installed before the end of the summer. Active Park is the first to receive the new sign – check it out!
Primely Park Playground Replacement: The new playground is open to the public, additional ADA parking stall and pathway are coming soon.
Westlake Ave Street End Pilot Project: Research and exploration of the site and preliminary planning and design are underway to support future permitting with the goal to start construction in 2026.
Oakbrook Park Improvements: Design and permitting for a shelter and perimeter pathway is underway. We anticipate construction to start before the end of the year.
Wards Lake Park: Progress continues with new playgrounds, the south parking lot and bridge construction. A huge milestone for the park was completed this week with the crane installation of a 173’ steel pedestrian bridge over Wards Lake! Future work in the coming weeks includes site fencing, work on the new 1.5 acre off-leash dog park, and the new south parking lot park entry off 25th Ave S.