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Happy Friday, Kent!
Parks & Recreation Month officially kicks off this Tuesday, July 1 with Popsicles in the Park at Morrill Meadows Park!
Since 1985, Americans have celebrated and recognized the importance of parks and recreation during the month of July. Kent is no exception!
Mark your calendar for five fun, free pop-up events where you can come and celebrate in the festivities with us! This event is free and open to all, no registration is required.
These great events are just one example of the incredibly fun, family-friendly opportunities available around Kent all summer long. Take some time to check them our below.
as always, I hope you enjoy this week's update, find it informative and have a great weekend!
Dana Ralph, Kent Mayor
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Last week, I attended the US Conference of Mayors annual meeting. As Vice Chair of Transportation and the New Economy, I had the opportunity to share the impacts the shift to online purchasing on warehouse-based local economies like Kent.
We also discussed cyber security, applications for AI, public safety and many other topics impacting cities across the country.
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The United States Conference of Mayors and Target awarded Kent with a $100,000 innovation in policing grant for our Community Immersion Law Enforcement Program.
After they are hired and before attending the academy, our new officers spend eight weeks volunteering with a non-profit in Kent - World Relief, Vine Maple Place or YMCA.
CILEP is a one of a kind program builds a connection between our officers and the community they will serve.
Thank you Targer Corp. and USCM for recognizing this program as innovative and impactful.
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This week I attended the Association of Washington Cities conference with elected officials from around the state. We heard from our fellow officials and distinguished speakers on a range of topics, from the economic outlook of Washington cities to how we can innovate.
The conference agenda is designed to equip city officials with the tools they need to address complex issues, ranging from affordable housing strategies, public safety, and infrastructure funding
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Come on down to the Neely-Soames Homestead Demonstration Garden tomorow for a day of play and learning with WSU Extension Master Gardeners!
🌼 Children’s Day at the Garden
📅 Saturday, June 28, 11 a.m to 2 p.m
📍 5311 S 237th Pl Kent, WA 98032
Children of all ages will be encouraged to explore a magical fairy garden, hunt for pollinators, and uncover the amazing world of worms. Bloom creativity with garden arts and crafts, while learning about plants, pollinators, and sustainable garden practices.
Kids will learn to care for and feed their own free, take-home plant from the garden!
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Over the weekend, we had a dozen dedicated volunteers join Parks staff and Council President Kaur at Van Doren’s Landing Park and Green River Natural Resources Area for the June Green Kent Work Party. Alongside our Natural Resources team, volunteers spent the morning removing invasive species in several areas.
I am so grateful for the time that our volunteers put in – all of these efforts are instrumental in keeping our parks and natural areas healthy and thriving! To learn more about the Green Kent program, or to sign up as a volunteer for one of our upcoming events, visit MyKentParks.com/GreenKent!
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Earlier this week, the King County Solid Waste Division held a public meeting about the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan at the Kent Commons Community Center.
The plan sets strategies for managing solid waste over the next 6 to 20 years in King County and guides the many public and private elements that make up the regional solid waste system.
You can learn more on their website.
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Earlier this week, the Civil Service Commission held their monthly meeting. You can view the agendas and meeting minutes at bit.ly/3Oi8Aca. |
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 Have you signed up for the 2025 Kent Cornucopia Days 5k?
Join us on Saturday, July 12 at Three Friends Fishing Hole.
Walk or run with family and friends.
Participants age 60 and over run for FREE courtesy of Long Painting.
Learn more about the race and register online today at MyKentParks.com/CornucopiaDays5k.
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The City of Kent is updating the Downtown Kent Plan and we want your voice to help guide the future of our city’s vibrant core!
Through recent community conversations, focus groups, and interviews with local residents, business owners, service providers, and property owners, we've started to identify key opportunities and challenges in Downtown Kent.
Take a moment to share your thoughts and ideas – your input is essential to shaping a downtown that works for all of us! Click the link below to take our survey.
Help Shape Downtown: Complete the ReDiscover Downtown Survey!
Let’s build a Downtown Kent that reflects our shared vision and values. Thank you for being part of this exciting process!
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!
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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Copper theft is a serious issue that affects everyone in the Kent community. Intentional cable cuts cause significant disruptions to network services.
If you see something, say something. Report suspicious activity to law enforcement by calling 911.
Customers can always check for outages or address common service issues at xfinity.com/status or the Xfinity app. Video produced by Comcast.
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We’re excited to announce that we are offering our FREE life vest loaner program again!
Swim safe this summer with a free life vest rental from Kent Parks. Interested individuals can check out a life vest for a single day, or the entire summer season! Life vests are available to be checked out from the Kent Commons Community Center. All sizes are available. Please call 253-856-5100 with questions.
Please note that life vests must be checked out in-person, quantities are limited. Life vests are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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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.
📅 Every Saturday until September 13
⏰ 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
📍 2nd Ave between Smith and Gowe
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 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!
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 Kyle, Josh and Tracy go GREEN!
Green Kent that is. Listen in as Margaret Wagner, Kent Parks Natural Resources Coordinator talks about the Green Kent volunteer events and how you can get involved!
Listen now on:
🔊 Apple Podcasts apple.co/3J2UMkd
🔊 Spotify spoti.fi/3GNCeli
🔊 Amazon Music amzn.to/3jjaOvU
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 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!
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