Save the Date: Meet the finalists for Lakewood’s next Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Director
The City will host a public open house for the PRCS Director finalists next week at the Fort Steilacoom Park Pavilion, 6pm-7pm, on Wednesday November 19th. Feel free to stop by, meet the finalists, and enjoy light refreshments.
Here are the names of the three finalists, along with their most recent positions:
- Jason Gerwen, Deputy Parks Director for City of Federal Way
- Roxanne Miles, Pierce County Parks Director
- Hollie Rogge, Deputy Director of Community and Neighborhood Parks and Facilities for Parks Tacoma
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.
McGavick Center City Days Application
The City of Lakewood is currently accepting applications for the use of a 2026 City Day at the Clover Park Technical College McGavick Conference Center. Please click here to view the policy and application materials. Applications will be accepted until Friday, November 28, 2025. Applicants will be notified as to the approval or denial of the application by Friday, December 12, 2025.
Complete applications can be emailed directly to City Clerk Briana Schumacher ([email protected]) or can be delivered in person or by mail to Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW Lakewood, WA 98499. Please contact Briana by email or phone (253-983-7705) with any questions.
City of Lakewood Parade of Lights application
The City of Lakewood is accepting applications to help LIGHT UP Lakewood by joining the Lakewood Parade of Lights! Businesses, service clubs, organizations, and individuals are invited to join this holiday parade by walking or with a decorated vehicle on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
Download the parade application here(PDF). Applications are due by November 17, 2025.
For further information, please contact Sally Martinez at 253-983-7758 or by email at [email protected].
Fallen Officers Food and Blood Drive November 19
The annual Lakewood Police Fallen Officers Food and Blood Drive with Emergency Food Network is taking place on November 19 from 6 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the Lakewood Police Station! Donations will also be accepted from November 14 – 24 at the following locations:
- University Place Classic Coffee
- Lakewood City Hall
- Blue Steele Coffee
- Lakewood Classy Chassis
- Lakewood Classic Coffee
Sign up to give blood here: donate.bloodworksnw.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/96569
Jingle Bell Fun Run December 13
Join us for another year of the Jingle Bell Fun Run with Lakes Cross Country! This year’s run will be at Ft. Steilacoom Park on December 13. The 1-mile fun run will start at 9:30 a.m. with the 5k beginning at 10.
Pre-registration: $10 for 12 & under | $30 everyone else
Day of: $15 for 12 & under | $35 everyone else
Register here: https://www.active.com/lakewood-wa/running/distance-running-races/fort-steilacoom-jingle-bell-run-2025-107481624
Council Corner
City Council met Monday for a Study Session . Here’s what was on the agenda:
- Joint Youth Council meeting
- Joint Public Safety Advisory Committee meeting
- Joint Partners for Parks meeting
- Review of 2026 Lodging Tax funding recommendations
- Review of 2026 Fee Schedule
Watch the meeting here.
What’s on Deck. The Lakewood City Council meets Monday, November 17 for a Regular Meeting at 6 p.m., followed by a Study Session, in Council Chambers. Tentative agenda items include:
- Authorizing the execution of an interagency agreement with the City of Puyallup for the housing of inmates in the Puyallup City Jail
- Authorizing the execution of an interagency agreement with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission for Lakewood Police Department for traffic safety emphasis patrols
- Authorizing the execution of an interlocal agreement with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WSDFW) to repair the boat launch at American Lake Park
- Authorizing the award of a construction contract to Miles Resources LLC, in the amount of $2,599,900, for the 112th Street – Gravelly Lake Drive to Bridgeport Way Project
- Accepting a grant from the Washington State Office of Public Defense, in the amount of $69,930, for public defense services
- Approving the 2026 Lodging Tax funding recommendations
- Ordinance relating to ad valorem property taxes; establishing the amount to be raised in 2026 by taxation on the assessed valuation of the property of the City; and setting the property tax levy rate for 2026
- Ordinance amending the 2025/2026 Biennial Budget
- Resolution setting the 2026 Fee Schedule
- Item for Discussion – Review of amendments to the Lakewood Municipal Code related to the expansion of childcare center locations
- Item for Discussion – Interlaaken Bridge Repair Update
- Item for Discussion – Review Resolution authorizing 12-year Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) for Station Plaza Apartments
- Item for Discussion – Review Ordinance granting Forged Fiber 37, LLC a non-exclusive franchise for the transmission of telecommunications in, through, over and under the rights-of-way of the City of Lakewood
- Item for Discussion – Review Ordinance granting Comcast Cable Communications Management, LLC, a non-exclusive franchise to construct, maintain, operate, replace and repair a cable communications systems, in, across, over, along, under, through and below public rights-of-way of the City of Lakewood
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 Oct. 28 – Nov. 4
- Calls for Service: 901 (-1% from prior week)
- Arrests: 38 (-33% from prior week)
- Violent Crime: 17 (+31% from prior week)
- Property Crime: 47 (-6% from prior week)
- Traffic Stops: 127 (-4% from prior week)
- Collisions (reportable): 19 (-21% 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: Nov. 12
- Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Location: Interim Lakewood Library, 10202 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW
- Fort Steilacoom Neighborhood Association
- Meeting Dates: 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]
Community Events
Make sure to check out these community events and opportunities to get involved!
- Lakewood Chamber Thanks-For-Giving Holiday Auction & Dinner
- Friday, November 14, 6 – 9:30pm
- Tacoma Country & Golf Club
- For Your Donation to the Auction, you receive:
- A listing in the program promoting your products/services
- An opportunity to showcase your products/services
- Acknowledgement in the Chambers regular emails
- Tacoma Police Department Thanksgiving Turkey Give Aways
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: The contractor is actively working with Pierce County signal technicians to perform in-place final testing and commissioning of the four new traffic signal systems along Steilacoom Blvd (at 87th, Hipkins/83rd, Briggs, and Weller). Once the new system is operational, the old system has been removed, and the remaining utility poles have been removed, the contractor will complete the concrete sidewalk/ADA curb ramp work that remains throughout the project limits. Recent rain events revealed an issue in the newly installed drainage system at Hipkins and Steilacoom Blvd. The City is working with the contractor to schedule crews to repair the issue and mitigate the drainage issues.
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: The City’s contractor continues work on the new signal system at 84th. The turn on will be scheduled once Lakeview Light & Power has energized the system and delivery of the programmed/tested cabinet is returned from Pierce County’s signal shop. The new gateway sign on the north end of the project has been completely installed. Pierce Transit is working to schedule their crews to install several new bus stop shelters throughout the City’s project area.
Nyanza Rd Improvements: The City’s contractor is nearing completion of the water system work with crews working to complete the new water services and hydrant installations. Electricians continue placing concrete foundations for the new illumination system. The contractor’s carpenters have completed the new concrete bridge barrier east of the northern connection of Nyanza and Gravelly Lake Drive. 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 is currently scheduled to place base-lift paving on Interlaaken Dr SW Tuesday 11/18 and will be placing concrete curb & gutter on 112th that day, as well. Interlaaken Dr SW is closed to thru traffic between Washington Blvd. and 112th St SW. A detour is in place utilizing 83rd Ave SW. 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.
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.
The repair will involve applying a lining to the existing pipe. This method will minimize impacts to the right-of-way during work. They anticipate additional lane closures in Bridgeport Way West as part of the preparation work. They will share detailed information and timing as soon as it is available.
For more information about the project, visit www.PierceCountyWa.gov/BridgeportRepair
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.
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.
Wards Lake Park: Construction of this park is anticipated to be completed at the end of this month. Remaining site work including landscaping, and metal fabrication and installation will be completed over the next couple of weeks. Art wraps for the Loo and signal boxes on the corner of Pine and 84th are underway. An art wrap on the Portland Loo featuring native birds was installed this week. The park is anticipated to reopen in early December. Stay tuned for updates via social media on all of the improvements that have occurred.
