It's that most magical time of year when the entire Kirkland community comes together to celebrate the 4th of July. It's hard to believe that 20-years-ago my husband Larry Springer, several community leaders, and myself came together to revive Kirkland's 4th of July celebration. We've shared a lot of great times as a community at the parade, picnic and fireworks show. None of this would be possible without the support of our volunteers, sponsors, and the City of Kirkland. In honor of our 20-year anniversary I wanted to share with you 10 tips for having an excellent 4th of July with Celebrate Kirkland.
1. It's all about community. This event has always been about bringing people together. In that spirit embrace the crowds, exercise patience, and celebrate all of us gathering to celebrate our country's independence. Also, please remember that private fireworks are prohibited in Kirkland. Join us for the community show at Marina Park at 10:15 p.m.
2. Thank a volunteer. Celebrate Kirkland would not be possible without the countless hours donated by volunteers. This event takes 185-200 volunteers per year!
3. Be a volunteer. It's not too late to sign-up to volunteer. Find out how you can help out by emailing volunteer@kirklanddowntown.org.
4. Say hello to your City Council. All of your Councilmembers will be in the parade. We always love to hear from the community, don't hesitate to approach any of us.
5. Walk, Bike, Bus. Parking will be challenging and streets will be congested, especially after the firework display at Marina Park. Walking, biking or taking the bus is an excellent way to save yourself some stress.
6. Join us at Marina Park all afternoon. Marina Park will have music, food vendors and booths all afternoon. It's a great way to relax and spend time with your friends and neighbors between the parade and the fireworks display.
7. Children and pet decorating at 10 a.m. in Marina Park Decorating of kid's bikes, hat making and face painting begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Marina Park Pavilion. Pets are welcome and encouraged. The Children's Parade at 11:30 a.m. will start and finish at Marina Park.
8. Dogs are allowed in the parade!
9. Water. Sunscreen. Repeat often.
10.Thank our sponsors! This wouldn't be possible without the generous contributions of Kenworth, City of Kirkland, Waste Management, Lee Johnson Auto Family, and all our other sponsors.
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Likely you’re aware of the closures that occurred this June at Juanita Beach and other swim beaches in King County. The video below explains the science behind what causes these perennial closures and provides all of us with suggestions on what we can do to help avoid closures like this in the future.
The City of Kirkland is seeking to better understand the community’s expectations on community policing, which is the law enforcement philosophy that emphasizes relationships between the police and community members. These relationships help our police officers engage with residents to prevent crime from happening, instead of only responding after incidents occur.
Please take the City’s online survey on community policing and public safety priorities. Your responses to this survey will inform staff about public safety priorities across our community, ideas on crime prevention strategies, and ways to maintain and strengthen trusting relationships between the police department and the community.
For more information on this civic conversation, please visit www.kirklandwa.gov/communitypolicing.
On July 10, the Park Board will review three concepts for City investments at 132nd Square Park.
These concepts were initially presented at a public meeting held on June 20 attended by 55 community members. The meeting was the next step in the update of a Master Plan for 132nd Square Park. The concepts were developed based on input that City staff and consultants had gathered over a period of months during public meetings, open houses, an event in the park, and through an online survey. The first concept option features no parking expansion, a restroom remodel, informal sled hill, picnic shelters with a play area, and the addition of disc golf. The second option includes expanding parking by 20 additional stalls, a more structured sled hill, a new restroom, and a storage building. The third option includes features such as 60 additional parking stalls, a new restroom, picnic shelters, and a large storage building. Every option includes one synthetic and one natural playfield and the installation of lighting for the fields.
“The three options presented are intended to reflect the values and priorities we heard from neighbors and community members, including the desire to retain natural areas, open play areas, and the community sled hill,” said Park Planning and Development Manager Mary Gardocki. “We value all of the input we’ve received from the community. The incredible participation from neighbors is immensely valuable in ensuring that we arrive at a final project design that meets the needs of as many people as possible.”
The three conceptual options will now be presented to the Park Board at their July 10 meeting. After that meeting staff will take all the feedback they’ve gathered and use it to develop a more refined concept and budget to be presented at a Park Board meeting in September. City staff hope to have a final concept to present to the City Council in October.
“The concept that will be presented to the Park Board in September will likely include elements from all three options that are currently being presented,” said Gardocki.
Earlier this year the City announced plans to invest in 132nd Square Park’s ballfields, trail system and playgrounds in conjunction with a stormwater retrofit project that would improve drainage and reduce flooding on streets, sidewalks, and homes. Investments included upgrades to turf and lighting to allow for more people to use the park year-round. Aligning these investments with the stormwater retrofit created efficiencies since the retrofit would require crews to dig up at least one of the ballfields.
Community members still have multiple opportunities to share their input with City staff. An online survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/132ndsquarepark. Public comment is also accepted during Park Board and City Council meetings. More information on the background and timeline for the project can be found on the City website at: http://bit.ly/132ndSquarePark.
The Kirkland Fire Department celebrated promotions and awards on Thursday, June 27, honoring recent advancements to Battalion Chief, Lieutenant and Captain, while recognizing Firefighter of the Year, Officer of the Year, and two Medal of Valor award recipients.
The Medals of Valor went to Firefighter Jesse Martindale and Lt. Tyrel Koistinen, who were singled out by their peers for their exceptional courage and perseverance while performing a perilous rescue during this year’s unusually heavy snowfall. On February 14, crews were dispatched to a garbage truck that had slid off a steep and icy roadway, trapping the driver underneath. Martindale and Koistinen worked tirelessly for nearly an hour in freezing temperatures, tunneling through snow, mud and slushy water to free the severely injured driver from beneath the truck.
Firefighters and police officers regularly perform heroic acts, explained Fire Chief Joe Sanford, but the Medal of Valor isn’t awarded for the day-to-day rescues that come with being a first responder. The Medal of Valor is a rare honor, given only when a public safety officer has demonstrated unparalleled, relentless bravery, and selfless dedication to the preservation of human life.
“In my 38 years with Kirkland, it has only been awarded one other time,” Sanford said. “It's awarded when, despite the circumstances, despite the dangers involved, in full knowledge of the risks involved, firefighters set aside their fears for the possibility of saving a life.”
Firefighter of the Year and Officer of the Year went to Firefighter Jesse Disch and Lt. Justin Becker, respectively. Disch and Becker were nominated and selected by their peers for their recognition, each exemplifying the ideal fire service professional, reinforcing the core values of the department, consistently striving for personal development, and encouraging that development in others.
Disch is a certified technical rescue technician, and Lt. Becker is a water rescue instructor. Both serve on the department’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) team, where they work hard to ensure that the department’s protective gear is safe and in good condition. Becker, hired by the department in 2006, was promoted to Lieutenant in 2013. Disch has been with Kirkland since April of 2011.
Advancements and promotions included: Jonathan Hernandez, Tyrel Koistinen, David Nelson and Ryan Riedl to Lieutenant; Kyle Higgins, Arthur Lim and Paul Smith to Captain; and Seth Buchanan, Margaret Freeman and Greg Picinich to Battalion Chief.
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4th of July Schedule of Events
9:30 AM Parade route closes to vehicles and detours are in place.
10:00 AM Children's decorating event at the Marina Park Pavilion. Tattoos, flags, and tons of fun for everyone!
11:30 AM Children's walking parade starts at Lakeshore Plaza and Kirkland Avenue.
12:00 PM Old Fashioned Downtown parade starts at Lakeshore Plaza and Kirkland Avenue.
After the Parade...Join your friends and neighbors at Marina Park:
- 1:00 - 10:00 PM: Community Picnic & Food Vendors
- 3:00 PM: Music in the Pavilion
10:15 PM Fantastic fireworks display off of Marina Park with viewing from most downtown waterfront parks.
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Game on! Family Fun Day Event
Friday, July 12, 3 - 7 p.m.
Juanita Beach Park
Come get your game on at the Kirkland Game On! Challenge your family and friends in large yard games like Jenga, Cornhole, Connect 4, and more! Live music, food vendors and farmers market! This event is FREE!
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Free Shredding and Styrofoam Recycling
Saturday, July 13, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
915 8th St, Kirkland
Recycle styrofoam and shred confidential papers for free! Event open to Kirkland residents only. *SHREDDING DETAILS* ACCEPTED: Confidential paper materials. Staples OK. No binder clips. LIMIT: 4 file-size (12”x12”x16”) boxes or equivalent quantity (e.g. paper grocery bags OK). Shredding will be completed by Confidential Data Disposal. Material shredded through the event will be recycled. Shredded paper is NOT accepted in your recycling at home, so using a service to shred is a better environmental choice than shredding at home.
*STYROFEST DETAILS* ACCEPTED: Clean Styrofoam blocks, EPE blocks and sheets, and plastic film. LIMIT: one carload per household. See flyer with photos of accepted items (pdf).
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Juanita Friday Market
Every Friday June 7 to Sept. 27, 3 to 7 p.m.
Juanita Beach Park, 9703 N.E. Juanita Drive
A twelve-year Kirkland tradition, the Juanita Friday Market features fresh produce from local farmers, artisanal breads and desserts, locally-made honey, hot food, cut flowers, sustainable skin care products, hand-crafted jewelry, candles, natural soap, local art and much more. The weekly series is set against the stunning backdrop of Juanita Beach Park, which offers sandy shoreline, restrooms, swimming and a children’s play area.
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Rockets to Mars: Past, Present and Future
Tuesday, August 6, 7 p.m.
Kingsgate Library
For adults.
Mars has long been of interest to people on Earth, having been identified by the Egyptians as a wanderer on a planet, more than 3,500 years ago.
Mariner 9 in 1971 was the first mission to Mars. Viking 1 and Viking 2 were the first to land on Mars in 1976. Hear all about Mars exploration and the rockets that got the spacecraft and landers there, and future plans for human ventures.
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