Lakewood Weekly Manager’s Bulletin: April 4, 2025

Spring Artist Reception: ‘Culture Clash: Art Edition’

This one-of-a-kind artist reception will feature works of local artists ranging in age from 8 to 80 years old who are part of the Hwa Sil Studio. Main artist Kellis Parlett is from Seoul, South Korea. She has dedicated her life to the exploration and creation of modern and traditional art forms. Her work reflects her desire to seek hidden, overlooked locations and transform them into artistic experiences. She redefines the boundaries of where and how art can exist.

Local musician Hyewon Kim will perform three pieces at the event. Her performances complement and co-mingle with the art on display. Kim is also from South Korea and holds a master’s degree in music, specializing in voice performance and choral conducting.

While there, enjoy traditional Korean refreshments including Korean moon bread, Korean snacks, herb cakes and traditional Korean drinks and teas. Culinary treats are being provided by local Korean Grocery Association and Boo Han Market.

Can’t make the reception? The art will be on display through June 30 at Lakewood City Hall. It is viewable to all Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lakewood City Council discusses city’s future

The Lakewood City Council met March 29 to discuss its goals for the biennium and how to shape the city’s future through strategic planning.

The following topics were discussed:

• Multigenerational Community Center
• Downtown Park
• Mixed Use Development
• Parking Legislation
• Planning and Public Works Workplan
• City Manager Recruitment

Watch the meeting.

City receives financial recognition from GFOA

The City of Lakewood was recently recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

The association awarded the city with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). 

This is the 11^th consecutive year that Lakewood has received national recognition. 

“This prestigious accolade is a testament to the hard work, dedication and professionalism of our finance team led by Deputy City Manager Tho Kraus and is a positive reflection and unwavering commitment to transparency, accuracy, and excellence in our financial reporting by our finance team, city employees and City Council,” said City Manager John Caulfield. “ This recognition brings honor and recognition not just to our finance team, but also our entire organization and underscores the critical role they all play on our success.”

Caulfield noted receipt of this award places the city in the top tier of cities across the country to receive such recognition. Less than 2% of cities nationally or statewide receive this award.

Rescheduled: Mayor Whalen’s Community Coffeehouse

The rescheduled Mayor’s Community Coffeehouse is Wednesday, April 30 at 6 p.m.

Mayor Jason Whalen will host representatives from the West Pierce Emergency Management Coalition (WPEMC) who will share information about the coalition and what it does. This is a great opportunity to learn more about what Lakewood is doing to prepare for a major emergency.

Mayor Whalen’s Community Coffeehouse is held at The Pavilion, located inside Fort Steilacoom Park on Angle Lane. There is parking next to the building and nearby in the lot next to the soccer fields.

Lakewood Municipal Court recognizes LPD Sgt. Markert

Last month Lakewood Municipal Court’s Veterans Court hosted a forum where Judge Tim Lewis and Court Administrator Deana Wright took time to honor Lakewood Police Sgt. Brian Markert.

Markert assists the court with its Veterans Treatment Court program. The court thanked him for his dedication to the therapeutic court and honored him for the time he gives to the program.

Lewis and Wright noted Markert, who is a veteran, is caring and supportive of those going through the court system. Many court participants are working on sobriety as they reintegrate into the community. 

Lakewood’s Veterans Treatment Court is a therapeutic court that offers support to veterans suffering from substance abuse and mental health disorders related to their military service. A collaborative team that includes the Judge, probation officer, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement and the Veterans Administration work to strategize and identify treatment plans for veterans while holding them accountable.

Help identify future Neighborhood Associations in Lakewood

The City of Lakewood started a Neighborhood Connections Leadership Group to help guide the creation of new Neighborhood Associations in Lakewood. The group meets monthly to identify key priorities for Lakewood residents and to help facilitate information sharing and conversation between residents and city officials.

The group created a draft map identifying neighborhoods and potential new Neighborhood Associations. The map is designed to create smaller, more intentional spaces for community discussions.

Share your thoughts! Public input will help shape this map and ensure it reflects the needs of the community. Take the short survey now.

Spring Cleanup is April 12-13

The City of Lakewood’s free community cleanup is Saturday and Sunday April 12-13 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the last car admitted at 1:45 p.m. This event is for Lakewood residents only, proof of residency is required.

Head to the Lakewood Transfer Station, 3869 94^th Street SW, and bring items you no longer want or need. Find a full list of what items will be accepted online.

Spring recreation classes underway

Check out our weekly Yoga class schedule. The next Sound Healing Workshop is April 27. All classes are held indoors at the Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park, 9107 Angle Lane SW.

The following Yoga classes allow drop-ins for $12 per class:

• Gentle Yoga, Mondays, 4:45-5:45 p.m.
• Gentle Yoga, Thursdays, 4:45-5:45 p.m.
• Fusion Yoga, Thursdays, 6-7 p.m.

Find class descriptions, registration links and more information about drop-ins online.

Council Corner: What’s on Deck

The Lakewood City Council meets April 7 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers. Tentative agenda items include:

• Proclamation declaring April, 2025 as Parks Appreciation Day
• Proclamation recognizing Black Wellness Week
• Proclamation recognizing the Fair Housing Act
• Youth Council Report
• Authorizing the execution of an agreement with KBH Construction Company in the amount of $429,936 for the Harry Todd Park improvements
• Authorizing the execution of an agreement with Atlas in the amount of $59,676 for surveying services for the Mount Tacoma Drive project
• Ordinance amending Lakewood Municipal Code Chapter 1.44 entitled General Penalties

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 that includes a look at total calls for service the Lakewood Police Department responded to 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 summary March 25-April 1, 2025

• Calls for Service: 952 (down 7% from prior week)
• Arrests: 52 (up 73% from prior week)
• Violent Crime: 33 (up 65% from prior week)
• Property Crime: 47 (down 10% from prior week)
• Traffic Stops: 111 (down 44% from prior week)
• Collisions (reportable): 18 (up 29% 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.

Attend a Neighborhood Association meeting

• Fort Steilacoom Neighborhood Association
  • Meets: The third Tuesday of the month
  • Location: The Pavilion in Fort Steilacoom Park, 9107 Angle Lane SW
• Springbrook Community Meetings
  • Meets: The third Thursday of the month
  • Location: Springbrook Park
• Tillicum/Woodbrook Neighborhood Association
  • Meets: The second Tuesday of the month.
  • Location: Tillicum-American Lake Gardens Community Center, 14916 Washington Ave SW.
• Downtown Neighborhood Association
  • Meets: Meets the second Wednesday of the month.
  • Location: Interim Lakewood Library, 10202 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW
• Lake City Neighborhood Association
  • Meets: Every other month. Next meeting is in May.
  • Location: West Pierce Fire & Rescue station, 8517 Washington Blvd. SW
• North Lakewood Neighborhood Association
  • No meetings scheduled.

Community events

Pierce County Councilmember Jani Hitchen hosts in-district meeting

Join Pierce County Council District 6 Councilmember Jani Hitchen Wednesday, April 9, 2025 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the McGavick Center in Lakewood for her annual in-district meeting.

Topics include:

• Learning about the work of the Public Health Advisory Board
• State and county response to COVID-19
• HIV testing in Pierce County, and other public health topics.
• Hear from Hitchen about her recent trip to Washington, D.C. and the work she does with the National Association of Counties.

---

Cops vs. Teachers annual charity event is April 18

The 16^th annual Cops vs. Teachers fundraiser event is April 18 at Lakes High School. This year’s event, hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Clover Park, is raising money in support of long-time Clover Park School District educator Tom Prentice and the ALS Society.

The event includes the basketball game and a silent auction. Doors open at 5:15 p.m., tip-off is 6:30 p.m. Learn more about this year’s event.

---

Lakewood Community Foundation Fund accepting applications

The Lakewood Community Foundation Fund is now accepting applications for grants from the 501c3 organizations located in Lakewood. Total grant funds available for award is approximately $40,000. Applications are due April 11, 2025.

All grants will fulfill the fund’s ideals, as expressed in the Mission and Vision statements: 

• Mission: To improve the lives of people in the Lakewood community by encouraging the generosity of donors and by accepting and distributing resources through a permanent endowment.
• Vision: Connecting donors with worthy causes to benefit the Lakewood community.

Applications are available online.

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 87^th Ave: The city’s contractor will continue placing concrete on the north side of the job next week. The electrical subcontractor continues installing luminaire and traffic signal pole foundations. Work on the south side of Steilacoom Blvd is currently anticipated to begin the week of April 14 or April 21.

Rose Road Sanitary Sewer Project: The city’s contractor is installing a new sewer main and stub outs on Rose Road.

South Tacoma Way Overlay 96^th to Steilacoom Blvd.: The city’s contractor Miles Resources has modified its schedule to begin work mid-April due to scheduling conflicts with subcontractors.

South Tacoma Way & 92^nd signal replacement: The city’s contractor has modified its schedule to begin work mid-April due to scheduling conflicts with subcontractors.

South Tacoma Way  88^th to north city limits: Work began this week. The city’s contractor is continuing with demolition activities in preparation for new sidewalks, street lighting, landscaping, and other roadway improvements on South Tacoma Way between 88^th and the north city limit.

Bridgeport Way from 75^th to north city limits: Pierce County Sewer has an emergency repair starting of its interceptor line along Bridgeport Way through the entire city limits and into University Place. For more information visit Pierce County’s website.

Parks project updates

American Lake Park: Work on the sewer connection for the new restroom continues with restroom installation anticipated to occur the second week of April. Construction of the retaining walls is nearing completion with the installation of wall caps. Site fencing installation is underway.

Wards Lake Park Improvements: The building permit for the 175-foot span bridge was approved. Installation is anticipated to occur this summer. Stairs along steeper sections of trails are under construction with trail base course and gravel installation underway.  Site clearing of invasive species plants continues to define the new walking trails. Work continues to protect the trees in the area. The 35-acre park will remain closed through November 2025 while the city’s contractor makes major upgrades to this park.

Westlake Avenue Street End Pilot project: This week the Parks and Recreation Community Advisory Board reviewed a summary of a March 8 community meeting to hear from the public about opening up the street end to public use. Design on how the site development could look will start in late spring with updates to follow. Construction is anticipated in 2026. View the summary on page 6 of PRAB meeting agenda packet.

Chambers Creek Trail. The city partnered with Pierce County and University Place on a project to improve access along Chambers Creek between the City of Lakewood and University Place. Pierce County recently completed the construction of a boardwalk. Pierce County Trails is working on the soft surface portion of this trail. The first section of the trail will open to the public in spring 2025, with the remaining two sections of trail opening throughout the spring and summer as trail crews complete work. The public should expect trail closures during this work. Please be aware of trail signage and stay on the open trails.

Other park projects planned for 2025:

• Primley Park playground replacement: A community workday was postponed due to delays in delivery of the new playground equipment.Stay tuned for a new date.
• Oakbrook Park: A new picnic shelter is on order and design is ongoing for a trail inside the park perimeter that will be installed before the busy summer season.    
• New park signs: All old park signs are now removed. Preparation for installation of new parks signs is underway. Parks will remain open during this process. Please respect the construction area and stay away from heavy machinery.
• Historic H-Barn revitalization: The PuyallupTribe is the latest donor to the Historic H-Barn revitalization project. The tribe recently donated $20,000 to Partners for Parks. The local nonprofit is working to raise $3.5 million to match a $4 million commitment from the city. Design work will start in early spring to determine building and code needs, as well as cost estimates. 
• Harry Todd pickleball courts: Four new pickleball courts will be developed at Harry Todd Park this year. The courts should be available for public use by fall 2025.
• Nisqually Loop Trail Fort Steilacoom Park: In partnership with the Nisqually Tribe, the city will install several interpretive exhibits along the Nisqually Loop Trail in the southeast area of the park. The exhibits will be located along a 1-mile trail and include Nisqually art, educational information and Lushootseed language. Construction is anticipated to occur late summer-fall of 2025.
• Tenzler Log: Landscaping and fencing will surround the perimeter in the coming months. Additional signage and information will be added to share more about this BIG piece of history.
• Reader board: A new electronic reader board is planned for the corner of Gravelly Lake Drive and Motor Avenue. A request for bids is expected to go out in the coming weeks.
• Lakewood Legacy Plan: A preliminary engagement plan was shared with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. As the city  begins its public outreach information will be shared with the public about how to get involved and provide feedback.
• Camp Murray Boat Launch Master Planning: The city will be assembling a stakeholder group to shape the early master plan for improvements at the Camp Murray Boat Launch in the Tillicum neighborhood.