4th of July Splash
Happy Friday, Kent!
If you don't yet have plans to celebrate the 4th of July this year, come on down to Lake Meridian Park for our annual SPLASH event, happening from 5-10 p.m.!
This year we'll have an official city-sponsored fireworks display as well as live music, food trucks, and more. It will be tons of fun.
Be sure to check out the details and share with your family & friends!
There are so many activities planned this summer, and as always, you can see all the happenings at KentWA.gov/Events.
I hope you enjoy this week's update, find it informative and have a great weekend!
Dana Ralph, Kent Mayor
On Monday I joined Gwen Allen-Carston, Executive Director for the Kent Black Action Commission (KBAC), city staff and residents as we raised the Juneteenth flag at Kent City Hall! |
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During this week's Kent City Council meeting, the council recognized the history of the Juneteenth celebration, and the Kent Black Action Commission for their continued work in the observance of Juneteenth and their contributions to our community. Thank you to Gwen Allen-Carston for accepting this proclamation on behalf of KBAC. |
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During Tuesday's Kent City Council meeting, Chief Padilla and I had the pleasure of welcoming Officer Ryan Husby to the Kent Police Department and officially swore him in.
He was top of his class in the academy and we're excited to have him aboard!
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Thank you to the Green Kent volunteers that braved the weather Saturday morning to work with us at North Meridian Park. We are so grateful for our amazing volunteers and Parks crews! |
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The Kent Farmers Market kicked off last weekend in downtown Kent! Originally started in 1974 by the Kent Lions, it's a place where you will find fresh produce, flowers and crafts.
Last year, Living Well Kent joined the Lions Club to expand our downtown market. It is a fantastic partnership!
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Congratulations to East Hill Auto Service on your new location here in Kent!
Rommel and his family are amazing and have been providing fantastic service to customers in our community for many years.
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This week, I had the opportunity to attend the Association of Washington cities conference in Vancouver!
Mayor Backus from Auburn, Mayor Pavone from Renton and I were chosen by AWC as one of the 15 teams to be a part of the Washington Collaborative Elected Leaders Institute.
Our team will workshop real issues faced by our communities and develop a collaborative process to address these issues, while learning about challenges facing communities in other parts of the state.
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Our Public Works Environmental team held another great Mini Recycling Event earlier today at Hogan Park.
Residents had the opportunity to dispose of unwanted items not typically accepted at the curb. All of these items will be reused or recycled instead of going to the landfill!
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With the 4th of July approaching, just a reminder to everyone that all forms of personal fireworks are illegal in Kent. Kent City Code 13.05 prohibits fireworks and was adopted following a voter majority vote on Advisory Proposition 1 in 2015.
You can report fireworks violations by calling the Kent Police Non-Emergency line at 253-852-2121. Please do not use 911 to report unless there is an immediate safety concern.
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Kent City Council
Here's the recap on what the Kent City Council has been working on! It was a busy week with lots of important items to attend to.
You can also see the full meeting agendas, minutes and livestream recordings on our website.
Salsa in the Streets
The Kent Downtown Partnership is bringing Salsa in the Streets! This is set to be an electrifying 1st time event celebrating the vibrant rhythms and passionate dance moves of salsa.
There will be performances by Mambo Cadillac, Flor de Luna, Supersones,
and Elere Salsa. Get your tickets now!
Tantalize your taste buds with mouthwatering food, unique crafts from local vendors, and refreshing drinks at our lively beer and wine garden, featuring 23rd Avenue Brewery, 2 Towns Cider house and Washington wine selections.
📅 Saturday, July 13
⌚ 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
📍 Titus Railroad Park (238 1st Avenue South)
National Night Out
National Night Out is August 6!
National Night Out elevates the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Most importantly, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
It's time to start planning that neighborhood party!
Kent PD's Community Education Unit will help you with the sign-up process. Let's give crime a going away party!
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Our friends at the Greater Kent Historical Society are excited to present Experience Historical Kent this August!
Join them at the Kent Historical Museum August 9-10 to explore the many parts of Kent's history. On Friday, August 9, participate in a historic tour, then pop by Kherson Park for a screening of The Boys in the Boat under the stars! Visit the museum again on Saturday for performances, activities, food, and more. More details will be available soon at KentHistoricalMuseum.org.
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Farmers Market
It's farmers market season!
Living Well Kent and the Kent Lions Club have partnered to bring their Farmers Market downtown! This is a community driven market, increasing access to fresh, healthy, and culturally relevant produce to our community.
📅 Every Saturday starting this Saturday!
⏰ 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
📍 2nd Ave between Smith and Gowe
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We’re excited to announce that more movie nights are coming to Kherson Park this summer! Grab some blankets, pack up the family, and come on down for a movie under the stars. Sprawl out on the lawn and enjoy a FREE showing of new blockbuster hits! All movies will begin at dusk.
2024 Summer Movie Series:
Friday, August 9: The Boys in The Boat
Shown in partnership with the Greater Kent Historical Society.
Friday, September 6: IF
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Our Parks team is in the early planning stages for the upcoming renovations at Uplands Playfields and is looking for community feedback on the future of this downtown park. As part of these renovations, we are planning for an extra special addition: a spray park!
Tell us what you want to see in your park as part of these renovations.
Voice your thoughts by filling out this survey,
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Morrill Meadows Park
You're invited to join us on Saturday, June 29 for the Morrill Meadows Park Grand Opening Celebration. Come and celebrate the completion of the renovations with our parks team!
Morrill Meadows Park now boasts an expanded playground with improved ADA access and new swings, a brand-new nature play area, updated park furnishings, improved lawn space, and a permanent stage. These renovations offer a beautiful, refreshed space for our community to gather and play outdoors. Join us at the stage where there will be some fun Kent Parks swag and sweet treats from Sweet Themes Bakery!
(while supplies last)
📅 Saturday, June 29
🕕 10 a.m.- 11 a.m.
📍 Morrill Meadows Park
EVENT PARKING: Please park at the shared Kent Parks/Kent YMCA parking lot.
Parks & Recreation Commission
In case you missed it, we’re looking for City of Kent Parks and Recreation Commissioners!
Beginning this month, changes are being implemented to the operation of the Parks Commission to ensure that our commissioners are engaged and enjoy serving their term with us.
Moving forward, during each year of their term, Commissioners will be required to join us for an annual Parks tour, attend quarterly meetings to provide critical feedback and insight on our parks and recreation system, and immerse themselves in the Parks department at volunteerism activities.
Learn more and apply online at KentWA.gov/BoardsAndCommissions.
Kent Summer Concerts
Kent Summer Concerts are back starting July 10! Super excited for this annual series of musical performances presented throughout the summer. Learn more about specific performers and dates on our website.
Wednesday Picnic Performances
12-1 p.m. at West Fenwick Park
Wednesday Family Date Night
6-8 p.m. at Kent Station
Thursdays at the Lake
7-8:30 p.m. at Lake Meridian Park
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Registration is open for the Cornucopia Days 5k!
This year's event will take place on Saturday, July 13 at Three Friends Fishing Hole with the race kicking off at 9 a.m.
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Springwood Park Closure
Springwood Park is now closed for a complete renovation of the park.
Our Parks team is adding new amenities including a children’s play area with structures for kids from 2-12 years old, swings, a zip line, berm slide, and a cooling station for hot summer days.
Also coming is a new park shelter, multi-use sport court for basketball and futsal, an upgraded lawn area with new irrigation and drainage, and we'll be making improvements to the pathways and ADA connectivity.
With this closure, access to the school bus stop onsite will not be affected. We are looking forward to the new amenities when Springwood Park is estimated to re-open Spring of 2025!
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Registration is now open for our Youth Fall Soccer program!
Sign your child up to learn the game, hone their skills, make friends, and have FUN! Program is open to all students in Pre-K to Grade 8. Pre-K participants must be 3 years of age by August 31, 2024. Teams are formed by grade. Deadline to register is August 6!
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Kent Library Summer Reading Events
Next Tuesday, the Kent Library is hosting a Summer Resource Fair to provide free vaccinations and information about activities and programs for families while kids are out of school.
The next day, Jeff Evans will be there with a fabulous Magic Show, with many more free programs coming during their Summer Reading Program from June 17 through August 31.
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Blood banks across the United States are reporting critical shortages, with donor levels lower now than they were before. Let's help patients in our community by making an appointment at the pop-up blood drive happening at Kent Station. |
Summer Parks Guide
Registration for Summer programming through Kent Parks is open!
From preschool classes and free summer concerts to youth sports and programs for adults aged 50 and older, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
If you haven’t received a guide, browse a digital copy to check out upcoming events and all available programs.
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Kent Parks is partnering with Soos Creek Studio to offer a parent and youth pottery experience, which will be held at the Kent Memorial Park Building.
The programs will be July 8 through August 1, and August 5 through the 22nd. Learn more and register online!
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We're hiring! Check out our featured jobs and find great opportunities on our hiring page at jobs.kentwa.gov
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Get your furry friends licensed with Regional Animal Services of King County to help get them back to you if they're ever lost!
Your license also helps fund RASKC's life-saving animal shelter work. They reunite lost pets 24/7 and provide shelter pet care 365 days a year.
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Don't forget to check out the KentNOW podcast! Tracy, Josh and Kyle talk to Tony Donati about water conservation and hear more about the amazing events happening in Kent for the month of June!
Listen to new and previous episodes on:
🔊 Apple Podcasts apple.co/3J2UMkd
🔊 Spotify spoti.fi/3GNCeli
🔊 Amazon Music amzn.to/3jjaOvU
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