April 22, 2022: Lakewood Headlines
Lakewood’s library branches are in declining physical condition. Apply by April 30 to join a special advisory board to help the Library System determine what to do with its facilities, and how to best serve Lakewood.
Parks Appreciation Day is tomorrow – Saturday, April 23. Volunteer for a few hours in the morning and help beautify Lakewood by pulling weeds or picking up playgrounds.
Springbrook Park will receive some fantastic improvements this year and next year. A dog park, walking paths, basketball courts, and a pump track will be added.
“Adopt A Street” in your neighborhood to help Lakewood fight back against litter. For every person that litters, there are many more that want to beautify Lakewood. We invite volunteers to help us, and the City will acknowledge your efforts with a sign along the street you adopt.
Volunteer to Help Plan Library Facilities in Lakewood & Tillicum
Lakewood’s libraries require repair or replacement – join an advisory board to help the Library System decide what to do.
Lakewood’s two library branches are in declining physical condition. The City and Library System are forming an advisory committee to inform facility planning. Residents may apply to join the committee by Saturday, April 30.
Both buildings are older, and both need expensive repairs. The committee will review public input, study building needs, and advise the Library System on how to best serve Lakewood. Selected committee members will meet approximately five times between June and September.
Volunteer to Clean Up Lakewood Parks on April 23
Roll up your sleeves to help pull weeds, paint fences, and beautify local parks.
Volunteers are asked to register to indicate at which park they wish to participate. Six park cleanup events will be happening in several Lakewood neighborhoods from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- American Lake Park: 9222 Veterans Dr SW
- Fort Steilacoom Park: 8714 87th Ave SW
- Springbrook Park: 12601 Addison St SW
- Police Station: 9401 Lakewood Dr SW
- Community Garden: 5504 112th St SW
- Wards Lake Park: 2716 84th St Ct S
- Kiwanis Park: 6002 Fairlawn Rd SW
Springbrook Park to Undergo Improvements in 2022, 2023
New additions include a dog park, walking paths, new basketball courts, and a pump track.
Lakewood’s Springbrook Park will undergo improvements through early 2023. New additions include a dog park, walking paths, new basketball courts, and a pump track. The park’s community garden will be moved and enlarged.
660 feet of shoreline along Clover Creek will be restored to improve water quality. The park’s entrance will be more welcoming after a new sign is installed and after new sidewalks are added around the community garden.
“Adopt” A Street In Your Neighborhood to Help Beautify Lakewood
Groups or individuals are invited to “Adopt A Street” and help pick up litter
Litter is a shame – we wish folks would dispose of trash the right way. For every one person that litters in Lakewood, there are many more that want to beautify Lakewood.
If you are in the latter category, we encourage you to apply to “adopt” a local street. The City will put up a sign to acknowledge your pride and effort to maintain Lakewood.
More Headlines
- Students Grades 9-12 Invited to Lakewood Youth Summit
- Wards Lake Park will close for one day on Wednesday, April 27 for geological work.
- New Sidewalk Coming to Phillips Road Near Hudtloff Middle School and Wildlife Area
Events
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Parks Appreciation Day | April 23, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Youth Summit | May 21, 2022 | City Hall |
| Youth Fishing Event | May 14, 2022 | American Lake Park |
| Saturday Street Festivals: Dancing in the Streets | May 21, 2022 | Colonial Plaza |
| Paddle, Row, & Canoe Day | June 4, 2022 | Harry Todd Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | June 7, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | June 14, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Saturday Street Festivals: Carnival of Cultures | June 18, 2022 | Colonial Plaza |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | June 21, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | June 28, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Summer Nights Concert: Afrodisiacs | June 28, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | July 5, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | July 12, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Summer Nights Concerts: Herding Cats | July 12, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | July 19, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Summer Nights Concerts: Olsen Brothers | July 19, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| SummerFest | July 23, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | July 26, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Summer Nights Concerts: Candy Shoppe | July 26, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | August 2, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | August 9, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Summer Nights Concerts: Good Co. Swing | August 9, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Saturday Street Festivals: Jazz Night & Car Show | August 13, 2022 | Colonial Plaza |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | August 16, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Summer Nights Concerts: Paperback Writer | August 16, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | August 23, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | August 30, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Saturday Street Festivals: Fiesta de la Familia | September 17, 2022 | Colonial Plaza |
Roads
- Gravelly Lake & Nyanza: Washington Boulevard is closed between Lake City Boulevard and Gravelly Lake Drive. The intersection will reopen in June. The top lift of pavement will be applied in May – that will resolve the bumps leading onto the roundabout. Striping will also be applied, and the northbound GLD lane will be reopened near I-5.
- Steilacoom & Weller: Sidewalks were installed along the north side of Steilacoom Boulevard between Weller & Phillips. This stage will be complete after striping is applied this weekend. Sidewalks will now be installed along the south side of Steilacoom Boulevard between Weller & Custer. That work will go out to bid next week, and work is expected to begin in June.
- 59th & Bridgeport: Sidewalks will be added along the east side of 59th Avenue between Bridgeport & 100th. Construction will begin in a few weeks.
- South Tacoma Way & 512: An overlay will be applied to resurface South Tacoma Way between SR-512 and 108th. That project will go out to bid shortly, and work will begin this summer.
- Phillips & Onyx: Construction of sidewalks along Phillips Road between Agate Drive and Onyx Drive will begin in May. Sidewalks will line the west side of the street, and a five-foot bike lane will line the east side. Segments of Phillips will slim to one lane with flaggers directing traffic during the work.
City Council Summary: April 18, 2022 (Regular Meeting)
Parks Appreciation Day is this Saturday, April 23. The City will host a volunteer day to perform spring cleaning at local parks. The City Council issued a proclamation to recognize the occasion. The proclamation was accepted by Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Chair Jason Gerwen.
Governmental Affairs Consultant Shelley Helder reviewed the recent state legislative session. Positive outcomes for Lakewood include funding for infrastructure, park improvements, and homeless services. The City’s ongoing legislative priorities include multimodal transportation and behavioral health placement practices.
Lakewood and the Pierce County Library will begin to plan facility improvements. Local library branch facilities are outdated and in poor physical condition.
City Council authorized $516,754 to improve conditions at the Karwan Village Mobile Home Park. 28 units are connected to a failing septic system and will be connected to sewer service. Dangerous structures will be demolished. City code enforcement works to ensure renter safety and livability in low-income units.
The City is involved in litigation to hold opioid distributors accountable for their part in the opioid crisis. Lakewood will join a collective of Washington cities and towns taking legal action.
Housing Program Manager Jeff Gumm reviewed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) plans. Lakewood’s CDBG programs support major home repairs, affordable housing development, and other programs.
The City may consolidate to two of City Hall’s three floors. The City may consider leasing underutilized space. City Council authorized a study of the matter. Some staff began to work remotely during the pandemic; they continue to work efficiently and enjoy the arrangement.
Cluster mailboxes will be required following major street reconstruction and within new subdivisions. Cluster mailboxes improve security and mail delivery efficiency. Efficient mail delivery may improve traffic flow and safety.
Guidelines will be established to relieve disruptive advisory board and commission members. Such removals would only occur following obvious impropriety.
Until Next Week…
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