Congratulations to the exceptional Class of 2025! Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have paid off, and you should be immensely proud of your achievements.

It's farmers market season! 

Living Well Kent has brought their Farmers Market downtown! This is a community driven market, increasing access to fresh, healthy, and culturally relevant produce to our community.

📅 Starting Tomorrow
⏰ 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.​
📍 2nd Ave between Smith and Gowe

Tuesday night, we kicked off this season’s Drinks in the Driveway in the Ridgefield neighborhood. This is one of my favorite ways to connect directly with our community.

It was a fun evening filled with thoughtful questions and great conversation about public safety, infrastructure, and things that matter most to their families.

These kinds of conversations are invaluable, as they help guide our work and ensure we’re staying connected to the people we serve.

Thanks to our host Cheryl, all the neighbors who came out, Assistant Chief Kasner and Public Works Director Chad Bieren for joining me.

I’m looking forward to visiting more neighborhoods throughout the summer. 

Join us for the Riverbend Bar & Grill Grand Opening Celebration tomorrow, June 14!

The fun kicks off at 5 p.m. We’ll be holding a special ribbon cutting ceremony and then the fun begins! Stay tuned for more details. In the meantime, be sure to stop by and check them out! The Riverbend Bar & Grill is located at the 18-hole course at the Riverbend Golf Complex.

Longer days and warmer weather give you more time to play in Kent!

Unique playgrounds, quiet trails and scenic lakes offer days of outdoor fun. Explore the variety of Kent Parks on the city website.

Our team at the Kent Senior Activity Center is gearing up for a summer full of fun!

If you are age 50 or older and interested in golfing, fishing, hiking, or getting out to explore more of our beautiful state, check out our upcoming trips. Learn more at MyKentParks.com/Register.

There will be a full road closure this weekend on W. Meeker St from 64th Ave S to Washington Ave. for installation and paving.

The closure will start at 7 p.m. tonight and last until Sunday at 5 p.m. Businesses along W Meeker St will be accessible, and detour signs will be posted. Our crews will also be out to provide traffic control.

This is the last in a series of weekend closures for the remaining construction of the mid-block crossing & traffic islands.

Thanks to everyone who showed up for our weekend recycling event! 1,034 cars dropped off materials, and we sold 104 rain barrels and 40 compost bins!

Don't worry if you missed out, the next event is on October 11 at Hogan Park.

Learn more at kentwa.gov/talkingtrash

As temperatures rise, remember that hot cars can be deadly for pets. Never leave your furry friends unattended in a parked vehicle, even for a few minutes. The temperature inside can skyrocket within moments, putting their lives at risk. Keep them safe and leave them at home!

Join us for an evening with Civil Rights icon, Terrence Roberts! Sixty-eight years ago, nine black students attended their first full day of school at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. This landmark effort to desegregate all-white school played a pivotal moment in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement.

Dr. Terrence Roberts, one of the Little Rock Nine, will speak about the importance of understanding the history of segregation and the civil rights to confront the realities of today.

In this talk, Dr. Terrence Roberts — one of the Little Rock Nine — will share his thoughts on how people can work to keep democracy alive in the U.S. Drawing from his powerful experience at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas during 1957–58, Dr. Roberts will encourage the audience to reflect on how individuals and groups can take action when democracy is at risk. His story will serve as a starting point for an important discussion about how we can all help protect democratic values today.

This event is free and for the public!
📅Wednesday, June 18
⌚6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
📍Kent Commons (525 4th Ave N.) Crystal Mtn. Hall 

Last week we gathered at one of the new Reith Road roundabouts to celebrate the project's completion!

The State Transportation Improvement Board funds high priority transportation projects in communities to enhance the movement of people, goods and services.

This project constructed two compact roundabouts, bike lanes, sidewalks and shorter street crossings with flashing beacons to improve traffic flow, connectivity and safety.

ReCode Kent is a city initiative to update zoning and development standards to align with state mandates.

These changes are meant to improve the supply, types, affordability and quality of housing options.

- These changes won't affect your existing property or ownership
- Zoning is being updated to units per lot instead of acre
- Types of zones are being simplified
- Zones are being updated to require higher density and more units near transit
- The zone you live in may be changing, but you don't need to do anything.

Check out the interactive map which highlights zoning changes by parcel (site) level at bit.ly/4mAP22w.

There’s still time for you to provide input! Check out the draft ordinance and let us know what you think. bit.ly/4mlgWzg.

Call before you dig!

Anytime you need to excavate for a home project, state law requires you to notify utility companies to avoid dangerous or costly damages.

Notify utilities of your intent to dig by calling 811 or by making an online request a few days before you plan to break ground. call811.com

DigSafeWA.org is your online resources for digging safely in Washington.

Want to guarantee you’re represented in future regional transportation plans?

Check your mailbox from now until June for an invitation to complete the Puget Sound Regional Travel Study.

Invited households will receive a gift card for participating! To learn more, visit: survey.psrc.org

We're hiring! Check out our featured jobs and find great Summer opportunities on our hiring page at jobs.kentwa.gov

Earlier this week I got to check out some new artwork at Kent Elementary! This new  mural is such a beautiful example of our community supporting our kids.

The artists saw the empty wall at Kent Elementary and donated their time and talent to create this amazing mural for the students to enjoy and learn from. Thank you Cheryl and Michelle for this special gift to our students.

The City of Kent is still accepting applications for our Parks & Recreation Commission! 

Multiple seats are available. Commissioners work with staff to provide input on planning efforts that influence the city’s parks system.

Things like planning, funding, rules, programs, and more. It’s a great way to get more involved with the Kent community.

Our Bicycle Advisory Board is still accepting applications for new members.

Members advise the council, mayor and staff on projects, policies and programs that affect cycling conditions in Kent!

Applications are still being accepted for the city's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Board!

The goal of the board is to increase engagement, integration, and access to city services for all cultural communities in Kent.

You can learn about the city's work in these areas and the Equity Strategic Plan at KentWA.gov/Race-Equity and apply to be on the board here!

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.

The Kent Summer Concert Series kicks off July 9. We are so excited to bring you another season of FREE music and entertainment with Kent Station!

Check out the line-up online now at KentWA.gov/SummerConcerts

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.

The KentWorks app lets you access information and improve your neighborhood and community by reporting non-emergency issues to the city. You can request a service, report a problem and find information about the City of Kent all from your mobile device in just a few taps!