Construction on the bathhouse and pavilions at Juanita Beach Park is making great progress. The foundations and slabs, masonry of the bathhouse, and the columns of the pavilion have all been completed. The next major efforts will include wood framing, the cross-laminated timber installation, and roofing.

The playground has been surveyed and work is beginning on the footings for the new accessible and inclusive playground.

The seasonal restroom portion of the bathhouse is expected to be complete no later than mid-July. This includes the necessary concrete paths to access the restrooms from the west entrance.

COVID-19 related delays continue to be a factor, but these delays are not defining the project, and only account for approximately 5 days of delay to the original schedule.

The overall substantial completion date for all elements of the project is the end of August. We look forward to enjoying this fantastic new amenity with you late this summer. For more information about this project, visit the Juanita Beach Bathhouse Improvement webpage. 

For the past four years the City Council has explored a potential Fire & Emergency Medical Services ballot measure to improve response times throughout Kirkland. Our community safety advisory group, formed last October, recommended that the Council place two property tax measures on this year’s November ballot.  The first measure would build a new fire station and seismically retrofit and renovate our existing fire stations. The second measure would hire new firefighters, who are also emergency medical technicians. These recommendations were made in February, just before the virus outbreak in Kirkland.

The Council recognizes that COVID-19’s economic impact makes this a difficult time for new taxes. But every investment recommended by the advisory group also reinforces the City’s ability to serve the community during the pandemic. So, the Council is asking our residents whether Kirkland should keep exploring these ballot measures.

No final decision has been made. The Council is asking for your input to help guide their decision. Please help us by filling out this brief survey. For more information about the potential measure, please watch our video. 

Any pet owners that license their pets during the COVID-19 emergency proclamation will have all late fees waived.

Pet owners will also not have to provide proof of rabies vaccination if they do not have it available at the time of licensing. These temporary changes are to help make it easier for people to license their pets during this challenging time.

Visit the Kirkland Animal Services webpage or the PetData webpage to license your pet.  

By law, all dogs and cats twelve weeks old and older owned by Kirkland residents must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. One and two-year licenses are available. Licenses must be renewed on or before the date of expiration.

If a pet owner needs to renew a license but is experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact Animal Control Officer Jennifer Matison at 425-587-3414. The Kirkland Police Department will work with you to get your pet licensed.

Pet licenses provide identification if a family pet is lost and allow a quick reunification once the animal is found. If your pet is found and has a license, our Animal Control Officer will attempt to reunite you with your pet immediately, so you don’t have to go to the animal shelter to pick him or her up. The fees collected from pet licenses go directly into Kirkland’s Animal Services Program to provide service, education and enforcement.

By Sinang Lee and Khanh Ho, Environmental Health Services Division from the Public Health - Seattle & King County Public Health Insider Blog

Now that Washington State has re-opened for some fishing in a phased approach as of May 5, we want you to know how to enjoy the outdoors while staying safe and healthy – from the fishing site to the catch on your plate.

Guidance for Responsible Recreational Fishing

Make it a day trip close to home. King County boasts many beautiful lakes for a quick day trip. Most rivers/streams in King County are closed until May 23 (including the Green/Duwamish River). Prefer saltwater fish?  Puget Sound Marine Areas 5-13 are open, but NOT for catching halibut or harvesting shrimp and intertidal shellfish. Marine Areas 1-4 remains closed. You don’t need to go far. Here in King County, you can find a nearby pier or boat ramp in Marine Areas 10 and 11.

Practice physical distancing. Did you know the length of a fishing pole typically ranges from 6-12 feet? While fishing on a pier or bank, find a spot that is at least 6 feet away from someone not in your family or household. If the area looks too crowded, try somewhere else.
Fish alone or with your family or household. For some, fishing is a way to relax alone while enjoying nature. For others, fishing is a family tradition. During this time, only immediate family and household members are allowed in fishing groups and on boats.

Pack some protective gear. Bring your own water, soap, and hand sanitizer with you as well as toilet paper, and masks or bandanas. Take back any garbage with you, including disposable gloves and masks.

Wear a life jacket while boating.Children should wear life jackets even while on docks. For guidance on choosing a life jacket that fits correctly, check out this U.S. Coast Guard’s resource, How to Choose the Right Life Jacket.

Stay up to date. Before you head out, check out the current Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW)’s fishing rules and COVID-19 guidance at: WDFW COVID-19 Updates, Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet, Fish Washington mobile app, and emergency rule changes webpage.

Guidance for Choosing Safe Seafood to Catch and Eat

Make fish a part of your healthy diet. Many places in King County have safe and nutritious seafood to eat, such as rainbow trout and salmon. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least two times per week as part of a healthy diet. Fish is packed with protein, vitamins, and nutrients that can lower blood pressure and help reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Be aware of fish consumption advisories. Unfortunately, some local waters are polluted with toxic chemicals (like mercury and PCBs). The Washington Department of Health issues advice about eating fish, shellfish or crab from specific waterbodies when chemicals found in certain species may harm your health. We summarized the local advisories in our Go Fishing in King County: Seafood Safe to Catch and Eat Guide (available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Khmer).

Moms and children, pay close attention. These advisories are particularly important for women who are pregnant or nursing, children under the age of six and people who plan to have children. Toxic chemicals can harm unborn babies, infants and young children the most – impacting their memory, attention, motor skills and language development.

The City of Kirkland has partnered with Sound Generations to field calls from residents in need of food but who are unable to get any due to the impacts of COVID-19 on our community. When someone calls 425-207-4777, call center staff at Sound Generations will ask a few questions about the caller’s situation to connect them with needed services. 

The only requirement to receive assistance with food is to be a Kirkland resident. If callers cannot afford food, then volunteer drivers will pick up and deliver foodbank boxes. For those callers that can purchase food but have no way to get it, volunteer drivers will call back and arrange for meeting food needs. Please share this with friends, family and neighbors who might need this service.

For more resources, visit the City's webpage for resident support during COVID-19.