Happy Labor Day Weekend!
Happy Friday, Kent!
Hope the kids had a great first few days of school!
As a reminder: all city facilities including Kent City Hall, the Centennial Center, the Kent Commons, the Senior Activity Center, and Municipal Court will be closed this Monday in observance of Labor Day.
This federal holiday is a moment to reflect on and celebrate the progress and accomplishments of the labor movement and recognize workers across our county.
We owe our thanks to this movement for organizing in support of a minimum wage, workplace standards, health benefits and so much more.
I hope you enjoy this week's update and have a great Labor Day weekend!
Dana Ralph, Kent Mayor
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It was so much fun seeing all the cars and people last weekend at the Cruisin' Kent Car Show!
The show supports the Vets program at Green River College. I love our partnership with Kent Station that makes this possible!
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Kabaddi is a contact sport originating in India and is one of the most popular sports there.
On Saturday, the Seattle Kabaddi Cup was held at Uplands Play field. Teams from all over competed in the tournament.
Thank you Council President Kaur for the invite!
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We had another successful Drinks in the Driveway this week! There were some great questions from the Meridian Villa Estates residents who care so much for their neighborhood!
Thanks to Chad Bieren from Public Works, and Assistant Chief Grove for answering their questions and concerns.
Thanks to Lloyd Hartley for hosting!
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Coffee and Conversation
I would like to invite you to join us at the Kent Senior Center for another Coffee and Conversations. Bring your questions, concerns or compliments!
📅 Monday, September 9
🕖 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
📍 Kent Senior Center 600 E. Smith St
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Join us when we raise the Thunderbirds flag at Kent City Hall with Head Coach Matt O'Dette, Cool Bird, a few of their players!
There's a lot of excitement heading into their home opener September 28 at accesso ShoWare Center!
📅 Wednesday, September 25
🕐 3:30 p.m.
📍 Kent City Hall
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Each spring and fall we host TeamUp2CleanUp: a community-wide day of service to beautify Kent as individuals, schools, businesses, and social groups come together to remove litter at various locations around the city.
Make a day of it and join us!
📅 Saturday, September 28
⌚ 9 a.m. - Noon
📍 East Hill: Kent United Methodist Church (11010 SE 248th St) - New location!
Downtown: Kherson Park (307 West Gowe)
West Hill: West Hill Plaza (24700 Military Road) or
Sign up to clean your OWN location!
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Kent 101
The Fall session of Kent 101 is just a few weeks away!
I've always believed in the importance of being informed, and this program empowers residents with the knowledge of how our local government operates.
It's a free eight-week civics course open to all residents and is designed to educate, inform and build experience.
If you’ve ever wondered who does what around Kent, how construction projects get done or how our Parks department works, this is a great opportunity for you!
Classes begin September 19, 2024! You can sign up here!
Kent Comprehensive Plan
Wanted to provide an update on our Comprehensive Plan process.
We heard from thousands of people during Round 2 of our community engagement, who shared ideas about growth in the city and priorities for the next twenty years.
The project team is busy incorporating your feedback into a draft plan, which will be released in mid-October.
Meanwhile, we are in the process of studying and updating our development regulations for Community-Based Behavioral Health Facilities.
Behavioral health facilities provide a wide variety of services to address mental health and substance use disorders.
These facilities play a crucial role in supporting the mental and emotional well-being of individuals and families, helping to create a healthier, more resilient community.
A lack of behavioral health facilities has put significant strain on the region's hospitals, jails, and emergency responders to provide mental health services.
We have been working diligently with service providers, community groups, and residents to determine how to integrate additional treatment options into our community.
Based on what we have heard so far, we are focusing on code updates to allow new types of residential care facilities and to revise requirements for one use that is already allowed in Kent City Code.
Your input is incredibly valuable to us, and we want to ensure that these updates reflect the needs and priorities of our residents.
To gather your feedback, we’ve created a short survey that we encourage you to complete. Learn about Behavioral Health Facilities and take the survey!
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Culvert improvement work continues on Mill Creek and 76th Ave S! Stream channel excavation and habitat log placement is ongoing, and pipe crews have been working on water main extensions.
The project will improve Mill Creek at 76th Avenue South by replacing deficient culverts to expand creek channel capacity. You can read more about this project here.
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The next session of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training starts September 26.
When widespread disasters strike, city workers can be overwhelmed. This course is designed to give people the skills and confidence to safely help themselves and others when help is delayed.
The eight-week program meets 2 different times on Thursday. 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. or 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
This training provides instruction on disaster preparedness, disaster first aid, triage, fire safety, search and rescue, disaster psychology and team organization.
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Badges & Barbells
Join Kent Police for the first ever Badges and Barbells!
It starts at 6 p.m. with a 20–30-minute workout with officers followed by networking with our officers and staff. Space for the workout portion is limited to 20 people. The networking portion is open to all.
Registration to participate in the workout is required.
Waiver to participate in the workout is required and will be emailed when registration is complete.
If you have any questions, contact jberry@kentwa.gov or swood@kentwa.gov.
Farmers Market
Farmers Market season is starting to wind down. Only a few weeks left to enjoy the Living Well Kent and the Kent Lions Club market downtown! This is a community driven market, increasing access to fresh, healthy, and culturally relevant produce to our community.
📅 Every Saturday until September 14
⏰ 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
📍 2nd Ave between Smith and Gowe
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You’re invited to join Kent Parks and the Kent YMCA for the next Kent Community Day!
The event is FREE and open to all. There will be a community swim session, bounce house, patio activities, and an afternoon of fitness, connection, and family time!
📅 Saturday, September 14
⌚ 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
📍 Kent YMCA (10828 SE 248th St.)
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The 2024 Fall Recreation Guides are out now!
Registration for Fall programs are now open. From preschool classes and FREE after school programming, to clubs and outdoor adventures for adults age 50+ and everything in between, our Parks team offers something for everyone in the family!
Browse a digital guide and register online at MyKentParks.com/Register
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Hop Picking Festival
The Master Gardeners of King County will have a Kent Hop Picking Festival on Saturday, September 7 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Neely-Soames Homestead Demonstration Garden at 5311 South 237th Place.
Come on down to view and pick hops, explore the Neely Hop Trail, learn how to grow hops at home and discover the history of hops and beer in Kent.
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Do you need some help with your garden? Get free gardening advice from the Master Gardners.
The WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers are local and university-trained. They are providing free research-based information to home gardeners in King County.
📅 Saturdays
⌚ 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
📍 Kent McLendon's Hardware
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2024-25 Spotlight Series
We are excited for announce another incredible season of our Spotlight Series!
The Spotlight Series brings the best entertainment to local stages here in Kent. Tickets are now on sale for all shows. Read more about the performers, see ticket prices, and purchase tickets online KentWA.gov/SpotlightSeries
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Time is running out to register for Kent Parks Fall Youth Volleyball!
Program is open to kids in grades 3-12. Sign your child up to learn the game, develop their skills, and make new friends! Deadline to register is Tuesday, September 3!
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Our Kent Parks crew is hosting the final movie night of the summer on Friday, September 6!
Parks staff and Ice Cream Express WA will be kicking off the fun at 6:30 p.m. with giveaways and free ice cream from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Movie will start at dusk! Come on down for a night of family fun under the stars.
📅 Friday, September 6
⌚ 6:30pm (movie starts at dusk!)
📍 Kherson Park, 307 W Gowe St
🎥 IF, rated PG. Runtime: 1 hour, 44 minutes
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As a reminder, the playground area at Lake Meridian Park is closed for maintenance while contractors replace all of the playground surfacing.
The duration of the project is completely weather-dependent because dry, warmer weather is needed for the surfacing to cure. With the recent wet and rainy weather, the project was delayed a bit, but the work is slated to be finished soon!
We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience while this important work is done.
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Here's the resident question of the week!
"Hello I had a question about how I can share my thoughts about our parks and future changes or upgrades. My boys love going out and trying new spots and had some ideas I want to share thanks."
You can share your thoughts and feedback with us on specific locations and future projects at EngageKentParks.com! During the planning phase for renovations, our Parks team is always looking to get input from the community.
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Don't forget to check out this week's KentNOW podcast!
This week, Josh, Kyle and Tracy talk to Jason Fiorito, President of Pacific Raceways to discuss the NHRA and the cool new projects they are working on.
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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