Lakewood Weekly Bulletin May 1, 2026

Main St SW Temporarily Closing for Sewer Extension Project

Main St. SW between 59th Ave. SW and 108th St. SW will be closed from May 4–29, with the closure in effect Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The work will temporarily block access to the east driveway at City Hall, and drivers should plan ahead for detours. Alternate routes are available via 112th St. SW and 100th St. SW to help maintain traffic flow during the closure.

Sewer Work on Bridgeport Way Enters its Final Phase

The primary sewer infrastructure work on Bridgeport Way has been completed, and crews are now entering the final phase of the project. Upcoming efforts will focus on removing temporary surface pipes and restoring the roadway, including paving near the south end by Walmart. This work will require temporary lane reductions to one lane in each direction. All remaining construction is expected to be finished by May 25, 2026, ahead of Memorial Day, as the project nears completion.

Image courtesy of Pierce County

Reel in the Fun: Youth Fishing Event Coming Soon

Save the date for a fun-filled morning at the Youth Fishing Event on Saturday, May 16! Held at American Lake Park from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., this hands-on experience is perfect for kids ages 5–14 to learn the basics of fishing in a supportive and exciting environment.

Hosted in partnership with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the event features guided instruction on casting, baiting, and reeling in fish, all within a stocked, netted area near the beach. Each child receives their own fishing pole to keep, along with bait and supplies to take home their catch.

Spots are limited across four one-hour sessions, so be sure to register early. Don’t miss this great opportunity for kids to learn new skills, enjoy the outdoors, and make lasting memories!

Register Here!

Get Ready to Celebrate: Lakewood Street Festival

Save the date for Lakewood’s 2026 Street Festival on Friday, May 29! Head to Colonial Plaza from 4 to 7 p.m. for an evening filled with live music, dancing, and delicious food from local vendors.

Stroll along Motor Avenue as it transforms into a lively community gathering space featuring unique booths, a festive atmosphere, and a car show showcasing a variety of makes and models. Whether you’re coming for the entertainment, the food, or the chance to connect with neighbors, this is a celebration you won’t want to miss!

Mark Your Calendars: Farmers Market Returns June 2

Mark your calendar, opening day of the Lakewood Farmers Market returns on Tuesday, June 2! Held weekly at Fort Steilacoom Park, this community favorite brings together fresh produce, local vendors, food trucks, live music, and family-friendly fun from 2 to 7 p.m.

Running through September 1, the market offers something for everyone, from farm-fresh fruits and handmade goods to lawn games and special events like Kids Entrepreneur Market Days. SNAP/EBT benefits are also accepted, making fresh, local food more accessible to all.

Don’t miss the kickoff to a vibrant summer tradition, come shop, eat, and connect with your community at the Lakewood Farmers Market!

Lakewood PD Citizens Academy Registration is Now Open!

Registration is now open for the Lakewood Citizens Academy, an annual program hosted by the Lakewood Police Department that gives residents a firsthand look at local law enforcement operations. Held at the police station, the academy features weekly sessions led by officers, detectives, and command staff covering topics such as patrol work, criminal investigations, K9 units, behavioral health response, use of force, and the court system in Lakewood and Pierce County. Participants will also experience interactive training, including an emergency vehicle operations course and virtual reality firearms scenarios, while having the opportunity to engage directly with officers and ask questions about police work in the community.

Thank‑You to Everyone Who Helped on Parks Appreciation Day

Approximately 200 people participated in the Parks Appreciation Day Volunteer event on Saturday, April 25th, at sites throughout Lakewood, including Fort Steilacoom, Edgewater, Harry Todd Park, Wards Lake, Springbrook Garden, and the Community Garden at 112th & Arrowhead.

Projects included restoring 90 historic cemetery markers; removing scotch broom, blackberry, ivy, and other weeds; placing bark in garden beds; spreading over 100 cubic yards of play chips; painting; and general litter cleanup. Additional activities included a skate table dedication, pickleball, and events at the Wards Lake Opening Celebration.

We are deeply grateful for a community that cares so much about its parks.

Participating groups included Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, Lakewood Police, Tahoma Bird Alliance, Lakewood First Lions, Springbrook Connections, Commencement Bay Rowing, Christ Lutheran Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kiwanis Club, Community Garden Master Gardeners, West Pierce Fire & Rescue, American Lake Improvement Club, Lakes High School Key Club, Clover Park School District and Superintendent Ron Banner, and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

Thank you for helping to beautify our community! https://cityoflakewood.us/parks-appreciation/

A Look Back at the Wards Lake Park Grand Opening Celebration

The grand opening of Wards Lake Park was a wonderful celebration of community and outdoor recreation. Residents gathered to enjoy the newly improved park, taking part in activities like the ribbon cutting ceremony, bike safety course, bird walk, and family-friendly entertainment throughout the day.

From exploring updated trails and new recreation areas to enjoying free food and community connections, the event highlighted the park’s exciting enhancements and its value as a shared space. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped celebrate this special milestone for Lakewood!

Local Entrepreneurs Gather for Cottage Food Business Training

Local entrepreneurs came together for Cottage Food Business Training, gaining valuable insight into starting and growing their own home-based food businesses. Participants learned about licensing requirements, food safety guidelines, and best practices for turning their culinary skills into successful ventures.

The event provided a supportive space for aspiring business owners to ask questions, connect with others, and build confidence in taking the next steps. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to an engaging and informative session!

Becky Newton, Economic Development Manager for the City of Lakewood and Dan Mason, Food Safety Training and Technical Projects Coordinator with the Washington State Department of Agriculture

Senior Center Bingo Event Brings Community Together

The Senior Activity Center Bingo Bash was a lively and enjoyable afternoon filled with laughter, friendly competition, and community spirit. Players of all experience levels joined in the fun, bringing great energy to each round and making the event a memorable success.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the afternoon so memorable. We look forward to seeing you at our next event for more fun, surprises, and community spirit!
https://cityoflakewood.us/parks-and-recreation/senior-activity-center/

Next Week’s City Hall and Community Engagement Events

Community Partner Events and Happenings

Keeping Lakewood Healthy: Spongy Moth Eradication

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) will conduct spongy moth treatments in Lakewood anticipated to start May 7. 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.

Register Here!

Notice of Public Hearing and Opportunity for Public Comment

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 20 for a Regular Meeting. You can watch or listen to the meeting below.

What’s on Deck: The City Council meets Monday, May 4, 2026, for a Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m. Tentative agenda items include:

  • Proclamation recognizing May 2026 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month – Asia Pacific Cultural Center
  • Proclamation recognizing May 3 through May 9, 2026 as Water Week – Commissioner John Korsmo and General Manager Marshall Meyer, Lakewood Water District
  • Proclamation recognizing the week of May 15, 2026 as Police Week – Patrick Smith, Chief, Lakewood Police Department
  • Proclamation recognizing the week of May 17, 2026 through May 23, 2026 as Public Works Week – Jeff Rimack, Planning and Public Works Director
  • Youth Council Report
  • Community Collaboration Update
  • Approving the 2025 Transportation Benefit District Annual Report
  • Authorizing the execution of an agreement with Asphalt Patch Systems, Inc., in the amount to $659,268, for the 2026 Roadway Patching and Drainage Repair Project
  • Authorizing the execution of an agreement with Sierra Santa Fe Corporation, in the amount of $341,427.77, for the 2026 Chip Seal project
  • Authorizing the execution of an agreement with Tucci & Sons, in the amount of $684,858.70, for the 112th SW – South Tacoma Way to Steele Street overlay project
  • Authorizing the execution of an interlocal agreement with the Lakewood Water District regarding the construction of roadway improvements and water mains along Kendrick Street SW between 111th Street SW and 108th Street SW
  • This is the date set for a public hearing on the 2026 Carry Forward Budget Adjustment
  • Ordinance No. 849 Amending Lakewood Municipal Code Chapter 5.60 related to Rental Housing Licensing and Inspection Requirements – continued from April 6, 2026 and April 20, 2026
  • Resolution No. 2026-01 Amending the City’s purchasing policies – continued form April 20, 2026
  • Resolution adopting the Fiscal Year 2026 Consolidated Annual Action Plan (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027) for CDBG and HOME Programs, including amendments to Fiscal Year 2023, 2024, and 2025 Consolidated Annual Action Plans
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 April 21 – 28, 2026

  • Calls for Service: 899 (+7% from prior week)
  • Arrests: 31 (-18% from prior week)
  • Violent Crime: 21 (0% from prior week)
  • Property Crime: 37 (-26% from prior week)
  • Traffic Stops: 108 (-10% from prior week)
  • Collisions (reportable): 14 (-22% 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 30 – May 7, 2026
*Please note the dates listed are tentative and may change due to weather or other conditions.

ACTIVE CLOSURES:
Nyanza Rd Improvements:
Nyanza Road has reopened. Street lighting is tentatively scheduled to be installed during the week of May 4. Please use caution while traveling through the construction zone, as contractors will be installing light poles. Striping is tentatively scheduled for the week of May 18. This work is weather-dependent and will occur during nighttime closures of Nyanza Road.

112th St SW – Gravelly Lake Drive (GLD) to Bridgeport Way (BPW):
112th Street has reopened. Striping will require a separate closure following a three-week asphalt curing period. Lighting poles are expected to be shipped in mid-August. Installation will occur once the contractor receives the poles and schedules crews.

Main Street – 59th to 108th:
Main Street will be closed during daytime hours (7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) between 59th and 108th Streets beginning May 4. As a reminder, drivers traveling on Main Street during non-working hours should adhere to the recommended 20 MPH speed limit, as steel plates will remain on the roadway.

Grant Ave/Orchard Sewer Extension:
The sewer main and side sewers along Grant Avenue between Commercial and Maple have been completed. Crews will focus on the final segment of Orchard over the next week, followed by completion of the Grant Avenue segment southwest of Berkeley. Road restoration crews are scheduled to begin work in the coming weeks.

FINISHING UP CONSTRUCTION:
Steilacoom Boulevard – Weller to 87th Ave:
Lumen will be on-site this week to remove the final pole. The contractor will then schedule the final concrete pours.

UPCOMING CONSTRUCTION:
Wadsworth/Silcox/Boat Sewer Extension:
Work on the new sewer system is expected to begin in May or June 2026. This project will require full closures of these local access streets.

112th Street – Farwest to Holden:
Work is expected to begin on June 11, following the completion of the Clover Park School District’s 2025–26 regular school year. Most traffic-related construction impacts are expected to occur during the summer break.

Custer Road – Bridgeport to 75th:
This project will begin on August 1 and will require approximately 60 days of full closure. Work will include pavement removal, utility installation, road widening for a new two-way left-turn lane, curb and sidewalk installation, and paving. Striping will be completed under a separate closure in October. A detour via Bridgeport Way and 75th Street will be in place during construction.

112th Street – 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 early summer 2026. Most of this work will require full nighttime closures over the course of one week.

Lakewood’s Draft Parks Legacy Plan Arrives in August: Here’s How to Participate.

Significant updates are planned for the future of Lakewood’s parks. The City will release the draft Parks Legacy Plan in early August, beginning a two-month period for community review and feedback. Residents, neighborhood groups, and local organizations are encouraged to participate.

Upcoming meeting:

May 6: Planning Commission meeting at City Hall

Each meeting will include an overview presentation, allowing residents to hear directly from staff and ask questions.

After the draft plan is published, community members may request a presentation tailored to their group. To schedule a presentation between August and September, please email Ted Thelin at [email protected].

The Parks Legacy Plan will guide Lakewood’s investments in parks, recreation programs, open spaces, and community amenities for years to come. Your input is important. Please look for the draft release in August and plan to share your feedback.