 June 16, 2023
 READ ONLINE AND TRANSLATE
The city’s 2023 Water Quality Report is now available. It contains information about Renton’s drinking water, from the sources to conservation tips. Fun fact: the city's 18,553 metered residents and businesses used just over 2.7 billion gallons of water in 2022.
The report also highlights the city’s actions to control water loss in distribution systems—from replacing aging and leaking water mains to improving tracking of non-metered authorized use.
Find best practices to lower monthly water bills during warmer weather by conserving usage and how to address leaks that can lead to wasting 12% of a household’s total usage.
The report outlines lawn and garden watering tips, including how and when. Hint: they do not need as much water as you think. The guide also explains how to protect salmon runs and spotlights rebates and classes available through the city's membership in the Saving Water Partnership.
There's also a section on water quality, including information on lead prevention, lead testing in schools, water quality for brewers, fluoride, and water hardness.
The report is available for translation on our website and as a downloadable pdf.
 Mayor Armondo Pavone presents a proclamation designating June 19 as Juneteenth 2023 in the City of Renton.
The city celebrates Juneteenth
At the Renton City Council meeting on Monday, June 12, we celebrated Juneteenth, marking the date the last enslaved African Americans were emancipated. President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, which declared that all persons held as slaves within the Confederate states would be free. Two and a half years later, on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, the final enslaved people were freed.
Juneteenth also has special significance here in Renton. In 1888, 300 Black men from Virginia, North Carolina, and Kentucky escaped the post-Civil War South. They moved to the Northwest to pursue new opportunities as miners. Among them was James Shepperson, who settled in Roslyn and encouraged many more Black people to follow.
"Juneteenth is a day we celebrate African Americans' resilience, strength and achievement, and reflect on the progress made and the work that still needs to be done," Mayor Pavone told the attendees. "In Renton, we are proud of our diverse community and committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued. Our city's strength lies in our ability to partner, unite, and learn from one another."
Attendees also heard messages of diversity, equity, and inclusion from MLK Memorial Church, the Seattle Sounders RAVE Foundation, the Seattle Seahawks, Boeing Company, and King County Library Systems.
After the reception, celebration attendees moved into the City Council chamber to watch as Mayor Pavone proclaimed June 19 as "Juneteenth 2023" in Renton during the regularly scheduled Renton City Council meeting. Accepting the proclamation was Erica Conway, Seattle King County NAACP vice president and a member of the Renton Police Department's Chief's Community Council.
Please enjoy these Juneteenth events:
Saturday, June 17: Renton School District’s Skyway Juneteenth Celebration and Festival at Campbell Hill Elementary, 3-7 p.m., presented by Renton School District, Skyway Coalition, and NAACP. Events include:
- Job fair
- Face painting
- Airbrush tattoos
- Carnival games
- Community resources
- Food
Sunday, June 25: Reclaiming Our Greatness: Juneteenth Celebration, Liberty Park (1101 Bronson Way N, 98057), 12-5 p.m. The greatness of the African American people exists in the ability to reclaim the greatness inherited through their ancestors.
The event features:
- 40+ vendors (vendor signup)
- Food trucks
- 3-on-3 basketball tournament
- Career fair
- Bouncy houses
- Face painting
- Community art project
Hosted by Elevate PR Management and Renton Residents for Change, event partners include the City of Renton, Valley Medical Center, and Black Love Market.
In addition to these Renton-area events, we compiled a list of Juneteenth events in surrounding communities.
Juneteenth is a federal and city holiday, so all our offices and facilities will be closed on Monday, June 19.
 Wi-Fi upgraded at six city facilities
Increasing our community’s Internet access while enjoying city facilities has been a priority of the mayor and city council.
Our Information Technology Division recently completed extensive Wi-Fi upgrades at six high-use facilities: Renton Community Center, Henry Moses Aquatic Center, Carco Theater, Don Persson Renton Senior Activity Center, Highlands Neighborhood Center, and North Highlands Neighborhood Center.
City staff surveyed all locations and upgraded each with enterprise-level equipment to meet coverage service requirements ARPA grant money funded this project.
 Full HMAC schedule starts on June 24
Henry Moses Aquatic Center will open for all programs on Saturday, June 24. The center will be open seven days a week until Labor Day, September 4.
Each day features two open swim periods from 12 to 3 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.
Every day, except for Thursdays, features Half Pint Splash-n-Play for those six months to five years. Water Walk/Lap Swim sessions for those over 18 are offered daily from 9 to 11:30 a.m., except for Thursdays. There’s a second Water Walk/Lap Swim session Monday through Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
New in 2023 is a Water Polo session Monday through Thursday from 8 to 10 p.m. Water aerobics is offered Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Visit our Henry Moses page for the latest information, ticket prices, and registration links.
 Liberty Park tennis courts reopen
We've finished repairing and resurfacing the tennis courts at Liberty Park. The project also included converting one tennis court into two pickleball courts in response to input from residents.
 Volunteers needed for Coulon Park and Cedar River Trail
Volunteering is an excellent way for residents of all ages to get involved and give back to our community.
The volunteers' page on our website has several opportunities. Two programs we’d like to highlight are Park Ambassadors and Trail Rangers.
Park Ambassadors
Park Ambassadors is a new program at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park. Ambassadors work in pairs walking pathways during assigned shifts to promote stewardship and engagement with park patrons by providing information about park rules and regulations, facilities, programs, and events. Ambassadors also report vandalism and safety issues to park staff and perform minor litter control. Shifts are one to two hours long, Sunday through Saturday, during daylight hours through September. Must be at least 21 years old.
Trail Ranger
Trail Rangers ride in pairs in a golf cart to help educate Cedar River Trail users on etiquette, park rules, and regulations. They observe and document trail behavior, monitor adjacent parks for vandalism and safety issues, and perform minor litter control. Rangers report all issues to park staff. Shifts are two to four hours long, Monday through Saturday, during daylight hours through September.
 Story Walk returns
Our popular StoryWalk returns at Liberty Park. StoryWalk combines two healthy activities - walking and reading a book.
The featured book is “The Bugliest Bug” by Carol Diggory Shields, illustrated by Scott Nash. It’s the story of a big contest in insect land. It’s 14 pages long and suitable for ages two through seven.
The first “story sign” is found right after crossing the bridge from the Downtown Library into Liberty Park. Follow the path to read the story. When finished, enjoy the park. The story will be up through June 30.
StoryWalk is a partnership between King County Library System and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
 Mondays – Free Community Grocery Store, St. Matthews Church (1700 Edmonds Ave. NE), 5:30–7:30 p.m. Presented by Sustainable Renton.
Tuesdays (except for July 4) – Renton Farmers Market, Piazza Park, 3-7 p.m. through September 26.
Free Museum Days – First Wednesday and third Saturday monthly, Renton History Museum (235 Mill Ave. S), 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
June 21 – Pop Up Lunch, 300 Rainier Ave. N, 12-1:30 p.m., sponsored by the Emergency Feeding Program/SOS.
June 23 – Neighborhood BBQ, Cascade Elementary School (16022 116th Ave. SE), 4-7 p.m. Theme: Public Servant Recognition.
June 24 – Henry Moses Aquatic Center opening day. Open Swim sessions 12-3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m.
June 25 – Reclaiming Our Greatness, Juneteenth Celebration, Liberty Park (1101 Bronson Way N), 12-5 p.m.
July 9 – Return to Renton Car Show, Piazza Park (233 Burnett Ave. S), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
July 19 – Neighborhood BBQ, Renton High School (400 S 2nd St.), 5-8 p.m. Theme: Celebrate Renton!
July 21-23 – Renton River Days.
August 12 – Cruz the Loop, Renton Pavilion/Piazza Park, 6-9 p.m. Early bird registration is $30 through 9 a.m. on July 12 and is $40 through August 4 or until sold out.
September 9 – Styrofoam & Document Shred Recycling, Renton Technical College Parking Lot (NE 6th Place & Monroe Ave. NE), 10 a.m.–2 p.m. City staff will collect non-perishable food items co for distribution to Renton-area food banks.
 In other news, this week
A recap of the news posted on the city’s social media accounts. You can find us (@cityofrenton) on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter. Renton residents can also find us on Nextdoor.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Arts in Renton
Bronson Way Bridge project
City Council (agendas, documents, and meeting video)
Parks Projects (Arnold, Coulon, Kiwanis)
Pet Microchipping (free for Renton residents)
Rainier Avenue South Phase 4 construction project
Recreation Guide (current classes, activities, leagues & events for May to August)
Report issues via Renton Responds
RPD Youth Academy (June 26-28. Free for middle school students)
Summer Employment Opportunities
Traffic Projects (impactful traffic projects)
This Week in Renton
This Week in Renton is also translated and posted on the City of Renton’s website. For additional translation services, contact communications@rentonwa.gov.
Not a subscriber? Please sign up here to receive current news and information from City Hall.
Have a story idea or comments? Email: communications@rentonwa.gov.
New Delivery Day
This Week in Renton will now be delivered on Wednesdays starting June 21. This change will provide information from our city council meetings in a timelier way and give TWIR readers more time to plan to attend weekend events and activities.
|
