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Happy Friday, Kent!
It was a pleasure to help welcome a new business to downtown Kent this week with the ribbon cutting for Masthi Bar and Grill. I was joined by Senators Claudia Kauffman, Manka Dhingra, and Councilmembers Troutner and Shoker to celebrate this addition to our historic downtown.
New businesses like this are a great sign of what’s happening in Kent, especially in our downtown. They bring jobs, draw people in, and add to the growth we’re seeing across the city.
And speaking of downtown, the Kent Downtown Partnership is hosting its Wine Walk tomorrow evening—a great reason to head downtown and support our local businesses.
Hope you enjoy the update and have a great weekend!
Dana Ralph, Kent Mayor
Shop, sip, and stroll your way through Downtown Kent tomorrow night! The Downtown Kent Wine Walk is an evening of live music, shopping, and connection. Come prepared for good, delicious tastings from local wineries. Hope to see you there!
Learn more and get tickets - click here!
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This week I had the opportunity to welcome Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) and her team to Kent City Hall for a great conversation about the issues that matter most to our community.
We talked about how we can work together to prevent future flooding after last December’s historic storms, strengthen public safety, and continue supporting Kent’s aerospace industry and workforce development .
Kent plays an important role in the Congresswoman’s district, and I appreciated the chance to share what’s happening in our city. It was a very constructive meeting, and I’m looking forward to continuing our partnership moving forward.
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With these chilly mornings, we need a reminder Spring is here.
Baby goats, bunnies and Unicorns should help!
Thanks to Kent Station and the fabulous Easter Event - so much family fun!
The baby goats made my day!
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What a fantastic and thrilling season for the Seattle Thunderbirds!
They gave the fans a real story this year and fought with heart to the end. The Kent community is proud of you all! #GoBirds
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A HUGE thank you to those who donated to the annual March for Diapers Drive.
Every year, the City of Kent joins other South King County cities in collecting diapers and wipes for babies in need.
During the month of March, the Kent City Hall location collected 1828 diapers and 1408 wipes.
Several organizations that serve Kent will receive donations from this drive: Domestic Abuse Women's Network (DAWN), We Love Kent, and Children's Home Society.
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Just want to wish a joyful Vaisahki to all those celebrating in Kent next week!
Vaisahki is celebrated among the Sikh community and marks the beginning of harvest season and the Sikh New Year
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It’s great to see local businesses in Kent getting regional recognition.
The Seattle Times recently highlighted a new “build-your-own” pho concept. It's something unique, and another example of the creativity we’re seeing from our business community.
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 I always appreciate the chance to connect directly with you and hear what’s on your mind, answer questions, and talk about what’s happening here in city. So, join us for Coffee and Conversation on April 22 from 9 a.m.- 10:30 a.m. at Woods Coffee on SE 272nd.
Stop by, grab a cup of coffee, and say hello. I hope to see you there.
PawFest is back for 2026!
Join us and Regional Animal Services of King County for a fun-filled morning celebrating our four-legged friends at PawFest!
We’ll have adoptable pets looking for their forever homes, on-site pet licensing, a crowd-favorite pet costume contest, live demos from local trainers, food trucks, and more.
 Saturday, June 6
 accesso ShoWare Center
 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Want to be part of the event?
We’re currently looking for vendors, animal rescues, and pet-related businesses to join us. This is a great opportunity to connect with the community and showcase your services.
If you’re interested in participating, email ttaylor@kentwa.gov to reserve your spot!
Bring your family, bring your pets, and come spend the morning with us.
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Here's a recap on what the Kent City Council discussed this week!
 
At this week’s City Council meeting, I had the opportunity to present several proclamations recognizing important causes and members of our community.
We proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and presented the proclamation to Hira Singh Bhullar, board member of the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center. KCSARC continues to support victims and their families while working to change how we talk about and respond to sexual violence. This month is an important reminder to support those impacted and to continue building a culture that prevents harm.
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We also proclaimed April 13–17 as Black Wellness Week, presenting the proclamation to Keith and Christina Blocker, co-founders of Elevate Black Wellness. Black Wellness Week highlights the importance of holistic well-being while celebrating culture, connection, and community.
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In addition, we recognized April 14 as Vaisakhi and Khalsa Day in Kent. This is a significant celebration in the Sikh community, marking both a harvest festival and the founding of the Khalsa. It’s a time centered on reflection, unity, and service.
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Finally, we proclaimed April 12–18 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Vonnie Mayer, Executive Director of Valley Communications Center, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the team. These professionals are a critical part of our public safety system, and we are grateful for the work they do every day to serve our community.
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 Our next Green Kent Volunteer Event is Saturday, April 18 where we will celebrate Earth Day at Clark Lake Park!
Green Kent Work Parties are held monthly from March to November, and are a great way to get more involved, connect with neighbors, and make a difference in our community. And for students, they are a great way to earn valuable, hands-on volunteer hours! I look forward to another season of restoring and conserving our parks and natural spaces with the support of our amazing Kent community. Sign up as a volunteer today online at
MyKentParks.com/GreenKent.
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 Get in the Game with Kent Parks!
In case you missed it, Kent Parks has partnered with the NFL Flag Football league! Sign your child up today so they can learn to play like a pro. Participants will learn the game, hone their skills, make new friends, and grow as a player and a teammate with us. The Kent Parks NFL Flag Football League is open to kids in grades 3-8.
Spots are limited – don’t miss out! Learn more and register today at MyKentParks.com/Register!
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 The Kent Historical Museum is hosting a FREE speaker series titled Resilient Roots, featuring six Coast Salish presenters.
This new series will run on the first Wednesday of every month from April to September from 6-7 p.m.
Centered around the artistic, cultural, and historical contributions of Coast Salish communities and highlights indigenous resilience, creativity, and the importance of passing traditional knowledge to younger generations. I highly encourage you to go!
No registration is required and all ages* are welcome. Refreshments are provided!
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Have you ever been curious about what’s being built in your neighborhood or around the city? Check out BuildKentWA.com!
It's a great way for you to find information about new projects that are under construction and coming soon. |
 Congratulations to our April Employee of the Month, Public Works Engineer Project Coordinator Bryan Bond.
Bryan has been with the City of Kent since 2001, working his way into his current role where he oversees the development and coordination of engineering projects.
He was nominated by his peers for the consistently outstanding work he brings to every project. Colleagues describe him as exceptionally helpful, detail-oriented, and someone who always strives to do the right thing.
Bryan’s experience and institutional knowledge make him a go-to resource across the department, and his positive, team-first approach does not go unnoticed.
Thank you, Bryan, for your dedication and the steady work you bring each day. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.
Kent Downtown Partnership kicked off their Spring scavenger hunt! It's a free, fun, family-friendly activity running the whole month of April--with the chance to win awesome prizes!
Little stuffed bees have scattered across Kent, and they need your help to track them down. Search for the hidden bees, complete your passport, and submit it for a chance to win prizes from local businesses. Get your scavenger hunt passport here!
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Construction on the next phase of the Meet Me on Meeker project begins Monday!
This project will continue transforming the Meeker St. corridor between Washington Ave. and the Interurban Trail with a new multi-use promenade, bike path, improved crosswalks, lighting, trees, and upgraded water and stormwater systems.
A compact roundabout will also be added at Meeker St. and Lincoln Ave. to improve traffic flow and create safer, more pedestrian-friendly crossings.
During construction, eastbound traffic on Meeker St. will be maintained. Westbound traffic will be detoured, and temporary closures will occur at Meeker St. and 7th Ave. Access to businesses and properties will remain open.
This is a long-term investment in a more connected, walkable, and welcoming corridor in Kent’s downtown.
Sign up for DriveKent alerts and learn more about the project at kentwa.gov/mmom
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Spring/Summer Registration
A new season of fun is here! Registration for our 2026 Spring & Summer programs opened last week. If you didn’t receive a guide, stop by the Kent Commons Community Center or Kent Senior Activity Center to pick one up, or browse a digital copy online now at MyKentParks.com/Register to check out this season’s amazing line-up.
Park Shelter Rentals are now open for the 2026 season! As you and your family look for places to gather this summer, check out one of the available park shelters here in Kent that can be reserved! Park Shelters are available to reserve from May 1 - September 30.
Learn more about all of the available rentals AND how to check shelter availability online at MyKentParks.com/Rentals!
As a reminder, all reservations must be completed in person at the Kent Commons Community Center. Call the Kent Commons at 253-856-5100 if you have any questions.
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 We need YOU! Our Parks team is looking for your input on the future of Town Square Plaza as we look to reimagine this downtown gem.
Take the Town Square Plaza survey today to provide your feedback to our Park Planning & Development crew.
Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to help shape the future of this downtown spot. Questions? Connect with our team online at EngageKentParks.com!
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 Indoor Park is held Tuesday-Thursday mornings at the Kent Commons Community Center from 9:30-11am.
No registration required! Just stop by and pay the drop-in fee ($2 for the first child and $1 for each additional child). Come play! For questions or more information, call the Kent Commons Community Center at 253-856-5100.
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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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 Join Tracy, Kevin, Mark and Kyle as they update you on the important, fun, and interesting things happening in the City of Kent.
New episodes every 2 weeks!
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.
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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