Lakewood Weekly Bulletin September 18, 2026

Come celebrate with us at Fiesta de la Familia

Save the date for Saturday, Sept. 26! Join us at Fort Steilacoom Park from noon to 6 p.m. for a day full of culture and community fun.

Come for delicious food and live entertainment, like dancing horses, a mariachi band, and charros showing off their roping skills. Try hands-on crafts at the art demo, sample cultural foods, and watch roaming performers. There will also be a car show, a community ofrenda, and Mexican loteria. Kids can get their faces painted and join the children’s parade. Don’t forget to wear your best Fiesta outfit, traditional clothes, or favorite costume.

Bring your family and friends for a day filled with celebration, creativity, and community.

Are you a printmaking artist?

The Lakewood Arts Commission and the Fiesta de la Familia Committee invite printmaking artists to display their work and lead a hands-on activity for everyone at Lakewood’s Fiesta de la Familia.

If you enjoy making floral arrangements, you can also enter our floral design contest. Community groups can submit hand-crafted arrangements made with real flowers and greenery in a fiesta style. Only 10 entries will be accepted.

The deadline to submit your contest entry or artist application has been extended.

For more details about the floral design contest and artist application, visit: https://cityoflakewood.us/fiesta/

Plant, Learn, Connect: Senior Center Gardening Club Meets Sept. 24

Did you know the City of Lakewood Senior Center has a Gardening Club? If you enjoy spending time in your garden and learning how to help plants grow, come join us. Our group brings together people who love growing flowers, vegetables, and shrubs. We meet to learn about plants, share growing tips, hear from guest speakers, swap stories, and make new friends. Whether you are just starting out or have years of experience, everyone is welcome. We all have something to share. Let’s grow together!

Dirty Gloves Gardening Club presents the Master Gardeners Fall & Winter Gardening

Thursday, Sept. 24
11:30am at the Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park.

Fall Wellness Classes

Registration is open for all classes and sessions. Use the registration link to find the class and time that works best for you.

All classes are held at the Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park, 9107 Angle Lane SW. Parking is available behind the building or along the fence near the city park maintenance shop.

Please visit https://cityoflakewood.us/recreation-programs/ to register!

Gentle Yoga: Gentle Yoga is perfect for beginners. This class focuses on slow, mindful movements that honor your body’s natural rhythm. Through accessible poses, breath awareness and other techniques, you’ll build strength, flexibility and inner peace. This class welcomes all bodies and abilities, come as you are!

Fusion Yoga: This dynamic yet accessible class blends gentle, vinyasa, traditional and yin yoga elements into one session. Each session is thoughtfully crafted and adapted to meet the unique needs and energy of the students, creating a personalized experience. No matter what your favorite style of yoga is, you’ll find something that works for you in this class.

Yin Yoga: Experience the healing combination of Yin Yoga’s Passive stretches and Reiki’s gentle energy work. In this meditative style of yoga, you’ll hold supportive poses for extended periods of time. This unique fusion promotes relaxation and releases stored tension in the body and mind.

Qigong: Qigong, pronounced “chi gong,” was developed in China thousands of years ago as part of traditional Chinese medicine. It uses exercises to optimize energy in the body, mind, and spirit, with the goal of improving and maintaining health and well-being. This Qigong class is designed to stimulate the 12 meridians and will include Meridian Tapping, breathwork, and warm-ups. Practicing Qigong in the morning promotes a calm, focused mindset, increases energy, and sets a positive tone for the rest of the day! Qigong is based on a series of forms depicted in the famous silk paintings excavated from the Mawangdui temple in Changsha, Hunan Province.

Intermediate Tai Chi: Tai chi can help reduce the risk of falling and improve balance and flexibility. This class teaches participants ways to improve their overall mind, body, and spirit through a series of slow, continuous movements. It does not matter how strong, flexible, or active you are, as Tai chi is designed for people at all levels of health. With over 30 years of experience, instructor Ronny Llanos will teach an Abbreviated Yang Style form. You will walk away with tools to help with stress reduction, cardiovascular function, balance and posture, arthritic conditions, lowering high blood pressure, and more!

Save the Date: Truck & Tractor Day is One Month Away

Truck & Tractor Day is a yearly event for people of all ages held at Fort Steilacoom Park. Enjoy pumpkin decorating, crafts, games, and a giant slingshot for pumpkin chucking! Children can climb on dozens of giant trucks and tractors and sit in the driver’s seat & honk the horn. Children also receive free hayrides, hard hats, and pumpkins (1 per family while supplies last).

There will be several food trucks, market vendors, and community organizations at the event!

Free parking is available.

Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026
12-3 p.m.
Fort Steilacoom Park

Custer Road Weekly Construction Update

This past week, the contractor has poured bases for street lighting. Grading for the roadway and pouring of curbs and sidewalks continued. The roadway has been ground in preparation for paving. Traffic signal modifications at 75th and Custer have begun.

As the project nears completion, the project team is monitoring the weather. Paving, one of the last weather-dependent items, is scheduled for the nights of September 23-25. Currently, the evening of September 24 is scheduled to disrupt traffic as crews plan to begin paving the top lift of asphalt.

Plant trees for more shade, a cooler home, and cleaner water

Looking to add more trees to your yard and help keep local water clean, all without spending too much? The Urban Tree Sale from Pierce Conservation District makes it simple and affordable to plant new trees.

From now until November 7th, you can choose from several types of trees, each over 6 feet tall and in 5 to 7 gallon containers, for only $10 to $30. When you buy a tree, you’ll also get a free workshop on planting, tips to help your tree grow well, and a watering bucket for deep watering.

Put planting a tree on your to-do list today: https://www.pcdwaterquality.com/tree-sale

The Lakewood Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meets on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The Board gives recommendations to the City Council on parks and recreation-related issues. Agenda, minutes, and how to attend in person or online: https://cityoflakewood.us/parks-and-recreation-advisory-board/

The Lakewood Community Services Advisory Board meets on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The Board holds public hearings to identify community and housing needs and make recommendations to the City Council. Agenda, minutes, and how to attend in person or online: https://cityoflakewood.us/community-services-advisory-board-2/

Notice of Lakewood City Council Public Hearing – Cannabis Code Amendments

On Monday, September 21, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., or soon thereafter, the Lakewood City Council will hear public testimony on the proposed Cannabis Code Amendments. To view the amendments visit: Cannabis Code Amendments – City of Lakewood

If you have concerns about this matter and want those concerns to be known and considered, they must be presented at the hearing or written comments can be submitted to the City Clerk, 6000 Main Street SW, Lakewood, WA 98499 or by e-mail to [email protected] prior to the hearing.

This hearing will take place in the City Council Chambers, 6000 Main Street SW, Lakewood, WA or you may attend the meeting virtually by dialing +1(253) 215- 8782 on your phone and enter meeting ID: 868 7263 2373. You can also visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86872632373. All persons will have an opportunity to present their oral comments at the hearing.

For further information about this matter, please contact Angie Silva at 253-983-7839 or [email protected].

Notice of Lakewood City Council Public Hearing – Annual Development Regulation

On Monday, September 21, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., or soon thereafter, the Lakewood City Council will hear public testimony on the 2026 Annual Development Regulation. To view the amendments visit: https://cityoflakewood.us/city-council/city-council-agendas/

For further information about this matter, please contact Tiffany Speir at 253-983-7702 or [email protected].

The City Council met on Monday, Sept. 14 for a Study Session. You can watch or listen to the meeting below.

What’s on Deck:

September 21, 2026, Regular Meeting and Study Session, 6:00 P.M.

Proclamation declaring September 15, 2026 through October 15, 2026 as Hispanic Heritage Month – Sylviann Estrella
Authorizing the execution of an agreement with RW Lockwood Construction, in the amount of $364,735.84, for the Westlake Ave SW Street End Pilot Project
Authorizing the execution of an amendment to the Interagency agreement with Washington Department of Enterprise Services for Clean Building Performance Standard Improvements
This is the date set for a public hearing on the 2026 Annual Development Regulations
This is the date set for a public hearing on the Cannabis Code Amendments
Ordinance adopting the 2025 Amendments to the Lakewood Comprehensive Plan, Future Land Use Map and Zoning Map and certain titles of the Lakewood Municipal Code
New Business – Approving the 2027-2028 City Council Goals and Priorities
Items for Discussion –Pierce Conservation District Update – Dana Coggon, Executive Director
Items for Discussion – Pierce Transit Update
Items for Discussion – Economic Development Update
Items for Discussion – Revised Preliminary Draft Right-of Way Encroachment Permit Code Amendments

October 5, 2026, Regular Meeting, 7:00 P.M.

Proclamation recognizing October, 2026 as Filipino American History Month
Proclamation recognizing October 4 – 10, 2026 as Fire Prevention Week
Recognition on 2026 Youth Academy Participants
Youth Council Report
Appointing a Youth Councilmember to serve on the Lakewood’s Promise Advisory Board (tentative)
Appointing Lakewood Arts Commission members (tentative)
Ordinance approving the 2026 Annual Development Regulations
Ordinance approving the Cannabis Code Amendments
Reports by the City Manager – Review of the 2027-2028 Proposed Biennial Budget

October 7, 2026, Special Meeting, 6:00 P.M.

Department Presentations of the 2027-2028 Proposed Biennial Budget
City Council
City Manager
Parks, Recreation & Community Services
Police Department
Legal Department

Each week, the Lakewood Police Department shares a summary of total calls for service from the prior week. The intent of the summary is to provide a snapshot of how the department works to keep the community safe.

Statistics for the week of Sept. 8 – 15

Calls for Service: 944 (+7% from prior week)
Arrests: 36 (-16% from prior week)
Violent Crime: 28 (+8% from prior week)
Property Crime: 46 (-13% from prior week)
Traffic Stops: 154 (+39% from prior week)
Collisions (reportable): 19 (+36% from prior week)

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If you signed up previously, your contact information was transferred to the new platform. Now is a good time to review and update your details if needed.

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Subscribe: Scan the QR code or visit CityofLakewood.Us/Lakewood-Alert

Updates for the week of September 17 – 24
*Please note that the listed dates are tentative and may change due to weather or other conditions.

ACTIVE ROAD CLOSURES:

Wadsworth/Silcox/Boat Sewer Extension: Sewer construction on Silcox, Wadsworth, Boat and 88th is complete. The contractor will be restoring the roadways over the next couple of weeks.

Custer Road – Bridgeport to 75th: This past week, the contractor has poured bases for street lighting. Grading for the roadway and pouring of curbs and sidewalks continued. The roadway has been ground in preparation for paving. Traffic signal modifications at 75^th and Custer have begun. As the end of the project approaches, the project team is monitoring weather. Paving, one of the last items that is dependent upon the weather, is scheduled for the nights of September 23-25. Currently, the evening of September 24 is scheduled to be disruptive to traffic as crews plan to begin paving the top lift of asphalt.

59th Avenue Water Tie – Gravelly Lake Drive to Gerlings: Lakewood Water will tie in a water main for a development along 59^th Avenue SW just north of Gravelly Lake Drive scheduled from September 30 through October 2. Work will occur between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. and the roadway will reopen each night.

Events:

Fiesta de la Familia (9/26) – Dancing horses, ropers, hands on art, face painting, music, dancing, food and festivities for the whole family on September 26, noon-6pm, at Fort Steilacoom Park.

Truck and Tractor (10/17) – Get ready for fall fun, explore all sorts of trucks and equipment, and enjoy a hayride on October 17, noon-3pm, at Fort Steilacoom Park.

Projects & Plans:

The Park Legacy Plan is an important document to capture needs for the future park system in Lakewood. The draft plan is on-line for resident review and comment through September 30. Comments will be compiled and will be used to finalize the plan for adoption, slated for the November 2 Council meeting.

Camp Murray Boat Launch Master Plan. This plan looks at the opportunities for potential development at the Camp Murray Boat Launch, currently operated by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The master plan includes concept drawings of potential improvements, but will also make recommendations for funding and future operations. The Master Plan is in its final stages of completion based on steering committee and public input, and is slated to go before City Council in November.

Capital projects in design and development:

Nisqually Interpretative Trail Loop at Fort Steilacoom Park – This project is now in production, with interpretative signs and materials being ordered for installation late this year. The project has been developed in partnership with the Nisqually Indian Tribe, and is primarily supported with grant funding from the Department of Commerce.
Westlake Street End Pilot Project – This project is in the contracting phase. Westlake Avenue is the first street end development in the City. Existing conditions and development potential of these lakefront sites was previously assessed through a street end water access study conducted in 2022. See https://cityoflakewood.us/lakefrontstreetends to learn more.
Edgewater Park – This project is in design. This project will both protect and improve the shoreline, improve parking and access, and replace the existing boat launch. Project permitting is slated to begin in fall 2026 and extend into 3Q 2027 due to the rezoning of portions of the park, complexity of shoreline development and extensive local and state agency review.
H–Barn Restoration at Fort Steilacoom Park – The City is working with Partners for Parks on the design and fundraising for this project. The project is slated for 60% design completion and a fundraising update in December 2026.
Oakbrook & Primley Park – These neighborhood parks will receive accessibility and amenity improvements in early 2027.

You can learn more about all Park plans and projects at: https://cityoflakewood.us/parks-and-recreation/parks-capital-projects pital-projects