Lakewood Weekly Bulletin: March 27, 2026

Join Us for the Mayor’s Community Coffeehouse: April 1 at The Pavilion

Lakewood residents are invited to the Mayor’s Community Coffeehouse on Wednesday, April 1, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at The Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park.

We have updated the topic since last week’s announcement. Join Mayor Bocchi and guests for a presentation on the Lakewood Parks Legacy Plan. City leaders will talk about what they learned from community outreach and survey results as they work to update the plan. The Legacy Plan explains the City’s parks, open spaces, and recreation system, and it guides elected officials, City staff, community members, and anyone interested in our parks and open spaces.

We’ll have light snacks and refreshments.

The event takes place at The Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park, 9107 Angle Lane. Look for the tan building with an outdoor stage near the barns. We’ll meet inside the climate-controlled facility. Parking is available but limited next to the building, and more parking is nearby.

We hope you’ll join us for a conversation and a chance to connect with neighbors and City leaders in April.

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.

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

More information on the event webpage: https://cityoflakewood.us/wards-grand-opening/

Public Hearing Notice

The City of Lakewood, WA City Council will be holding a public hearing on the updates to the ADA Transition Plan on April 15, 2026 at 6:30 pm. The City is seeking comments on the draft plan from residents, the public, persons with disabilities, organizations representing persons with disabilities, and other interested stakeholders.

All persons may submit written comments about the amendments no later than noon on April 15 or testify either in-person or virtually during the public hearing.

Hearing Date: April 15, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Lakewood City Hall or via ZOOM.

Instructions on how to attend the hearing, testify and/or submit written comments will be published no later than April 10, 2026 at https://cityoflakewood.us/planning-commission/

The draft ADA Transition Plan can be viewed at https://cityoflakewood.us/notice-of-americans-with-disabilities-act-ada-transition-plan/

For further information, go to or contact Tiffany Speir, Lakewood Planning Division Manager, at [email protected].

Save the Date: Lakewood Youth Council Empowerment Summit

When: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Theme: You Are Going to Be Okay!
Format: Choose Your Own Adventure
Location: Pierce College Lakewood Campus Cascade Bldg. 4^th Floor
Who should come: Students in grades 7-11
Transportation: Free Pierce County Bus transportation on a dedicated route put together just for this event.

Save the flyer, scan the QR code or visit our event webpage for more information: https://cityoflakewood.us/youth-summit/

Join Your Friends and Neighbors for Parks Appreciation Day

This 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.

Date: Saturday, April 25
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12noon p.m.

Save the flyer, scan the QR code or visit our event webpage for more information: https://cityoflakewood.us/parks-appreciation/

Lakewood’s Free Community Cleanup This Weekend

Bring trash, junk and recyclables to Lakewood Transfer Station for the city’s Spring Community Cleanup. This event is free for Lakewood residents only. A utility bill or ID is required to show proof of residence.

Date: Saturday, March 28 & Sunday, March 29
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., both days (Last vehicle admitted at 1:45 p.m. each day)
Location: Lakewood Transfer Station • 3869 94th St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499

Participants should be prepared to:

• Back up a steep ramp
• Unload all items yourself
• Bag all loose items
• Wear proper footwear.

Visit the event webpage to learn about additional on-site rules including what items are accepted.
https://cityoflakewood.us/lakewoods-free-community-cleanup-2026/

Keeping Lakewood Healthy: Spongy Moth Eradication Efforts Planned for the Spring

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) continues planning for proposed spongy moth treatments in Lakewood this spring.

Residents and businesses near proposed treatment areas should be on the lookout for a postcard in their mailbox. Residents can visit WSDA’s 2026 eradication webpage to view maps and search if they are in, near, or outside of a proposed treatment area. Residents can also sign up to receive treatment alerts by call or text.

The area will be treated with Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, or Btk, a naturally occurring soil bacteria commonly used in organic agriculture and gardens for caterpillar control with an excellent safety record for bees, birds, fish, pets, and people.

WSDA released a short overview video of the proposed spongy moth treatment plans. Please watch and share it online with your community.

Connecting People with Life Through Transportation

Connecting People with Life: Expanding Access Through Transportation is a free, online event designed for employers, client service agencies, and community partners who want to better understand transportation options that help people reach jobs, services, healthcare, and food pantries throughout our region.

During this 50-minute session, we’ll cover:

• Transportation solutions for employees and clients
• Differences between passport options and per-trip access
• How rideshare and shuttle programs support access and mobility
• Ways transportation helps strengthen community connections and daily life

At Pierce Transit, we believe reliable transportation is a powerful way of connecting people with life, and we’re looking forward to sharing how these tools can support the people you serve and employ.

Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/connecting-people-with-life-expanding-access-through-orca-tickets-1979064652651?aff=oddtdtcreator

Waste Connections – South LeMay District – Community Shred Event!

Upcoming City Hall and Community Engagement Events

The Lakewood Planning Commission meets on Wednesday, April 1 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The Commission assists in preparing the Comprehensive Plan, zoning, and land use related regulations for the City. Attend in person or online: https://cityoflakewood.us/planning-commission/

The Lakewood’s Promise Advisory Board meets on Thursday, April 2 at 7:30am @ City Hall. The Lakewood’s Promise Advisory Board develops relationships among citizens and businesses to deliver The Five Promises to Lakewood youth. The Five Promises are adults that care, public safety, health, education, and equal opportunity. Click here to view the 2026 Lakewood’s Promise Advisory Board Work Plan.

The Lakewood Civil Service Commission meets Wednesday, April 2 at 9:30 a.m. Participants may attend online or at Lakewood City Hall. The commission follows Washington state law to select, hire, demote or promote police officers. Attend online or in person. Meeting details available in our link in bio/on our webpage: https://cityoflakewood.us/civil-service-commission/

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
• 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
• Ordinance amending Lakewood Municipal Code Chapter 5.60 related to Rental Housing Licensing

How to Attend: 

• In person at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW
• 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.

3/10 – 3/17

Calls for Service: 751 (-9% from prior week)
Arrests: 32 (0% from prior week)
Violent Crime: 24 (+20% from prior week)
Property Crime: 33 (+14% from prior week)
Traffic Stops: 79 (-20% from prior week)
Collisions (reportable): 13 (-24% from prior week)

3/17 – 3/24

Calls for Service: 858 (+14% from prior week)
Arrests: 39 (+22% from prior week)
Violent Crime: 18 (-25% from prior week)
Property Crime: 45 (+36% from prior week)
Traffic Stops: 104 (+32% from prior week)
Collisions (reportable): 12 (-8% from prior week)

Road Project Updates

Updates for the week of March 27 – April 2, 2026

FINISHING UP CONSTRUCTION:

Steilacoom Boulevard Weller to 87^th 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 – 88^th to north city limits: The contractor began forming and pouring the final concrete pours and will commence final cleanup activities next week (weather dependent).

Interlaaken/112^th/Idlewild: Striping is scheduled for the evening of March 26. The roadway sections within the striping area will need to be closed during striping due to the application of the plastic material which can damage both the roadway and vehicles crossing over and tracking it prior to the material curing. The plastic takes approximately 30-40 minutes to set in temperatures like this.

ACTIVE CLOSURES:

Nyanza Rd Improvements: Restoration behind the sidewalk and paving of driveways are ongoing. The City’s contractor is currently awaiting a suitable paving window to complete roadway work. Asphalt crews will require at least three consecutive dry days with acceptable temperatures to finish the final paving. This has been challenging due to recent weather conditions. 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 curb were poured Monday, March 23. Sidewalk pours are scheduled as weather permits over the next week. Paving will take place the following week provided the weather permits.

Main Street – 59^th to 108th: Main Street will be closed between 59^th and 108^th on Saturday, March 28 from 2:00 A.M. until 4:30 P.M. and on March 30 through April 3, 7:30 A.M. until 4:30 P.M. daily. During these times, drivers should use 100^th Street and Bridgeport Way for access.

543 Lake Louise Drive: A portion of Lake Louise Drive will be closed Monday March 30 in in the vicinity of 543 Lake Louise Drive, with a possible one-day extension on 3/31 if needed. During the closure, detour signs will route traffic around the lake.

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.  

Grant Ave/Orchard Sewer Extension:  The City’s contractor is expected to begin work on Grant Ave beginning April, 6 2026. This work will require full closure of Grant and Orchard to through traffic.

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 75^th 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.

Visit the capital projects webpage for more information. You can also report an issue through the MyLakewood311 app.

Parks and Recreation Updates

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!

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

Tuesday, April 28th
1:00pm

Lakewood City Hall
6000 Main St SW, Lakewood, WA 98498