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Earlier this week Deputy Mayor Jay Arnold was featured in a story on King 5 news highlighting the City's efforts to create our first Sustainability Master Plan. We encourage you to watch the video below and then get involved in this exciting project. More information is available on the City's website.
Do you have an idea for a project that could improve pedestrian, bicycle and/or auto safety in your neighborhood? Or maybe you've been thinking about a concept for an improvement that would make it safer for children to walk, bike or ride the bus to school?
Submit your great ideas to the 2020 Neighborhood Safety Program (NSP).
The Neighborhood Safety Program is an opportunity to energize your Neighborhood Association by empowering them to work collaboratively with City staff to identify, prioritize and address safety improvements in Kirkland.
Each year there is a total of $350,000 available for projects citywide under $50,000. Projects fall into the following categories:
Bicycle facility: Bike lanes or trails.
Crosswalks: New crosswalks, improved crosswalk ramps (ADA), crosswalk islands, and rapid flashing beacons.
Intersection Improvement: Signage, parking, and pedestrian “bump outs.”
Traffic Calming: Traffic islands, speed cushions, pedestrian “bump outs,” signage, and radar signs.
Walkway/Sidewalk and Trail: Gravel trails, steps, curb, traffic delineators, and sidewalks.
Street Light: On existing utility pole or installing a new light pole.
Need inspiration? You can view the projects that received funding for 2019 on the City website.
Visit the Suggest a Project webpage to submit an idea online, or email Kari Page at KPage@kirklandwa.gov with the location and your pedestrian, bicycle, or auto safety concerns.
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This weekend brings Kirkland’s eighth annual Summerfest, a three-day summertime celebration that transforms Kirkland’s Marina Park and waterfront downtown area into a vibrant destination with live music, dancing, street performances and family-friendly entertainment.
Summerfest kicks off on Friday, July 26 and extends through Sunday, July 28, bringing a street fair with over 200 vendors, three days of live music and a plethora of fabulous and fun family-friendly activities. Explore Summerfest’s selection of gourmet, delicious food vendors, sip local craft ale and fine wines, browse local art and more – all set against the stunning backdrop of sunny Lake Washington.
Does your partner require a little extra motivation when it comes to working out? Come and check out Beer Zumba, which takes place 11 a.m. Sunday, July 28, at the Al Locke Pavilion at Marina Park. If your family is more artistically inclined, be sure to venture to Kirkland’s historic Heritage Hall on Saturday and Sunday to explore the creative side of life, with pottery demonstrations, ceramics, a community art project, youth art showcase, live model drawing and more!
Bring your kids and check out the Summerfest KidZone, open from 12 to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 12 to 6 p.m. on Sunday. KidZone takes place at Heritage Park, located directly north of Marina Park, and features inflatables, a 1/3-mile train ride, giant obstacle course, slide, mini street fair, “knockerballs,” vendors, entertainment and more! KidZone is all about play and parents are welcome to join in the fun!
Summerfest is coordinated by volunteers, and supports various local nonprofit organizations including the Kirkland Downtown Association, the Kirkland Heritage Society and the Chump Change Foundation, an organization that aims to connect volunteers with charitable causes. Summerfest received $3000 in funding from the Tourism Development Committee to support the event.
For more information on Summerfest, including information about parking, hours, activities and ticket prices, please visit the website at: https://kirklandsummerfest.com/.
Grab your peanuts and Cracker Jacks and head on down to Everest Park this Sunday for the 21st Junior League Softball World Series. Games start at 9 a.m. on Sunday with the final game taking place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 3. A full schedule is available on the Junior League Softball World Series website.
The teams are comprised of players ages 13 to 14 with six teams from the United States and four international teams. Eastlake Little League, located in Sammamish, is the host squad and District 9 champion.
The first game will take place between Latin America and the West at 9 a.m. July 28. Each team will play four pool games and the top four squads from each pool will advance to the next portion of the tourney. Eastlake Little League (Washington D9 Region) will play its first game on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. So head on down to the ballpark, and don't forget to root for the home team!
 Photo courtesy of Junior League World Series Softball
A City of Kirkland contractor began installing a new stormwater system this week along Juanita Drive and Northeast 116th Place, near Juanita Beach Park.
The new system, which contractor Grade, Inc. will install by the end of September, is part of a two-phase plan to reduce stream bank erosion, protect stream habitat for wildlife and to preserve public infrastructure, such as roadway edges. The second phase will improve stormwater conveyance in the Goat Hill area, which is located near Juanita Beach Park.
At times during construction, Grade, Inc. will close one of Juanita Drive’s lanes to create a safe work zone. As a result, commuters should expect some delays between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. However, the contractor will maintain access for local residents, mail delivery, garbage pickup and emergency responders.
The contractor plans to work eight hours a day, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., throughout the planned two-month duration of the project. By the end of September, the contractor will be restoring the landscaping at Juanita Beach Park and removing its equipment from the site.
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Shoreline Master Program Joint Meeting
Thursday, July 25 at 7 p.m.
Kirkland City Hall, Council Chamber
The City of Kirkland invites community members to attend a joint public meeting held by the Kirkland Planning Commission and the Houghton Community Council to provide feedback on the proposed amendments to the Kirkland Shoreline Master Program (SMP).
During the meeting, community members and stakeholders may speak or submit written comments. In advance of the meeting, written comments may be submitted to the Houghton Community Council and/or the Planning Commission in care of Joan Lieberman-Brill of the Planning and Building Department. More information on the SMP, including the final draft of the proposed amendments for the 2019 periodic update, is available for viewing on the City website at: http://bit.ly/KirklandSMPupdate.
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Pet-a-palooza Road Show
Friday, July 26, 3 to 7 p.m. at Juanita Friday Market
Join us for a Pet-a-palooza Road Show event! Meet Kirkland's Animal Control Officer Jennifer Matison, get a free leash, and learn more about the benefits of licensing your pet! Enter into a raffle for fabulous pet prizes (must have a licensed pet in Kirkland).
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National Night Out
Tuesday, August 6, 6 to 8 p.m.
Kirkland Justice Center and various neighborhoods
The City of Kirkland invites residents and guests to attend the National Night Out (NNO) Against Crime 2019 neighborhood block party, a fun and memorable community-building event meant to promote police-community partnerships and bolster neighborhood camaraderie!
NNO at the Kirkland Justice Center is free to attend and includes a delicious barbecue dinner, activities for kids, police and fire vehicle displays, touch-a-truck, tours of the Kirkland Justice Center and much more! Meet your Kirkland police officers and firefighters, City leadership and Police Chief Cherie Harris.
For more information about NNO in Kirkland, or to request first responder attendance at your neighborhood event, please visit our website at: National Night Out in Kirkland.
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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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Can you hear me now? Communicating during an emergency.
Tuesday, August 13, 6 to 7 p.m.
City Hall, Peter Kirk Room
The power's out, there's no cell service, and you're fresh out of homing pigeons. During a big disaster, normal methods of communication may be out of service for hours or even days. Do you know how to communicate with your loved ones when this happens?
Come learn about resilient ways to communicate during an emergency, from low tech solutions to ham radio equipment, as well as how to make an emergency plan so even when you can't talk, your loved ones still know what to do during a disaster.
Sign up online: bit.ly/EmComm19
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Kirkland Police Department Community Academy
Applications Due Friday, August 30
The Kirkland Police Department is accepting applications for the 2019 Community Police Academy, a dynamic, eight-week series meant to give Kirkland residents a firsthand look at the inner-workings of the Kirkland Police Department.
The 2019 Community Police Academy takes place 6 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday evening starting on September 18 and running through November 6, 2019. The series includes fun, focused instruction on a variety of law enforcement-related topics including patrol officer training, investigations, K9, special response, use of force, firearms, DUI enforcement, traffic enforcement and more! For more information about the Community Police Academy or to download the application, please visit our website at: Kirkland Police Department Community Academy.
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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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