|
Table of Contents:
With temperatures expected to reach the 90s and 100s over the weekend and into next week, the City is activating cooling centers to help prevent heat-related illness. Starting Saturday, June 26, and extending through Monday, June 28, an air-conditioned cooling center will be available as a safe space for any community member who needs to get out of the heat.
Please help spread the word! Cooling centers will be set up with socially distanced seating, tables and water. The cooling center will rotate between two locations:
10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, June 26 at the Peter Kirk Community Center (352 Kirkland Ave)
10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, June 27 at the North Kirkland Community Center (12421 103rd Ave NE)
10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, June 28 at the Peter Kirk Community Center (352 Kirkland Ave)
Guidelines for City Cooling Centers
- Cooling center guests must complete a COVID-19 screening before entering City facilities.
- Facial coverings will be required indoors.
- Guests will be asked to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between themselves and people outside of their household.
- Leashed dogs and crated cats are permitted, however, pets must be under owner control at all times and any pet-related “accidents” must be cleaned up by the pet owner.
Community members are also encouraged to seek relief from the heat at local restaurants, stores, malls and movie theaters and in shady areas in parks. Additionally, the Kirkland Library is open limited hours on Saturday with limited capacity.
To cool off in the water, open swim is available at the Peter Kirk Pool at reduced capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions. Kirkland’s swimming beaches at Houghton Beach, Waverly Beach and Juanita Beach will have lifeguards on duty starting Monday, June 28. Please use caution: Washington waters are often cold enough to cause muscles to not work or cause cold water shock, even on the hottest summer day.
Remember to stay cool, stay hydrated and always be alert to the signs of heat exhaustion, which include heavy sweating, clammy skin, weak pulse, fainting and vomiting. For more information about how to stay safe in the hot weather, visit the Public Health – Seattle & King County webpage.
|
Financial and legal assistance are available through the City of Kirkland or one of its partners for people behind on rent or mortgage payments, and for landlords with renters unable to pay due to COVID-19. Earlier this month, the Kirkland City Council passed an eviction moratorium through September 30, 2021, to allow time for renters and landlords to apply for assistance with unpaid rent during this time. Gov. Jay Inslee also announced a “bridge” proclamation between the eviction moratorium and housing stability programs which is effective July 1 through September 30.
“The economic upheaval caused by the pandemic has rippled throughout our community and exacerbated the rental crisis, particularly for low-income households. It’s critical that people are connected with the resources that they need to stay housed,” said Kirkland City Councilmember Amy Falcone. “Helping our neighbors stay in their homes prevents the trauma of experiencing homelessness, and it also is smart financially since rehoming neighbors requires more community resources than keeping them housed. Extending eviction protections locally and statewide provides time for both renters and landlords to seek assistance through existing programs as well as through programs emerging as a result of federal relief funds.”
Renters behind in rent and homeowners and landlords behind on mortgage payments are encouraged to connect with City staff to help answer questions about the extended moratorium and help navigate the programs and assistance that are available through the State, the County, and the City’s partner organizations. For help, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/housing-help or contact the City of Kirkland at housinghelp@kirklandwa.gov or 425-587-3326. Staff can also answer any questions about the extended moratorium.
Please find the full news release on our website.
|
The Kirkland Police and Fire Departments encourage the Kirkland community to plan neighborhood events for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. Held annually on the first Tuesday in August, National Night Out is a nationwide campaign meant to enhance relationships between communities and first responders while promoting crime prevention, community building, and police-community partnerships.
Meant to lower barriers, bridge gaps, and bring people together, nothing captures the essence of community quite like National Night Out. Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide. In addition to block parties and cookouts, National Night Out provides an opportunity to interact with Kirkland’s law enforcement and fire service professionals.
Find the full news release on our website and visit our National Night Out webpage to learn more about how to request first responder presence at your neighborhood block parties!
|
In support of Pride Month in Kirkland, the City has compiled a webpage that shows ways we’ve supported our LGBTQIA+ community. Check it out and let us know what you think!
We'd like to extend a gracious thank you to our friends at Kirkland Urban for hosting the Kirkland Urban Wear Your Pride event on Thursday, June 24.
This vibrant celebration included a Pride Parade, dancers from local studios dressed in rainbow gear, live music, stilt walkers, balloon twists, a DJ and much more. The event welcomed friends and families and was free to attend! Kirkland Urban partnered with Eastside Pride PNW and PFLAG Bellevue Eastside, each of which hosted a both and offered fun rainbow hued swag including flags, bracelets and bowties, as well as information and support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Happy Pride Month!
|
The Kirkland Tourism Development Committee (TDC) is excited to launch the 2022 Explore Kirkland tourism grant application process, open now through Friday, August 6.
The Explore Kirkland Tourism Program grants marketing and operations funds to special events and festivals that demonstrate the ability to attract visitors from over 50 miles away and generate overnight stays. The program supports and promotes events that showcase the city’s best assets while fostering a love of Kirkland, inspiring guests to come back time and time again. The program is funded by the lodging tax collected by Kirkland hotels, motels and short-term rentals.
Please find the full news release on our website! For more information about tourism grants, including a link to the application form, please visiting our Tourism Funding webpage.
|
On Wednesday, June 23, the City held a groundbreaking event to celebrate the launch of the 132nd Square Park Redevelopment and Stormwater Retrofit project.
Construction starts Monday, June 28, and the park will be closed to the community during its estimated one year duration. Though originally proposed to redevelop the park in phases, the community advocated to the City Council that all the improvements should be made at one time to minimize disruption.
Responding to community interest, the City acquired a lease for general public use of a nearby open space owned by the King County Housing Authority until the park is reopened. The open space, located between 135th Avenue Northeast and 136th Avenue Northeast on Northeast 132nd Street, offers a large grassy area and a half-court basketball hoop.
For more information about this project, visit our website.
|
We would like to congratulate probationary Kirkland Firefighters Keenan Huschke, Jordan Burton, Hunter Marshall and Andrew Claussen for their successful graduation from the South King County Training Consortium Recruit Academy on Thursday, June 17. The four completed over 20 weeks of training in fire, rescue and emergency medical techniques.
Congratulations and welcome to Kirkland Fire!
Photo from Left to Right: Hunter Marshall, Andrew Claussen, Jordan Burton and Keenan Huschke
For more information about the Kirkland Fire Department, including details about our hiring process, visit our website.
Do you have ideas on how to make Totem Lake a safe place for people walking, bicycling, driving and taking transit? If so, please give us your feedback via our online survey. This survey is open through Friday, July 9.
NE 128th Street is a key multimodal corridor that connects the Kingsgate Park and Ride, I-405, Totem Lake Transit Center, EvergreenHealth Medical Center, and other Totem Lake destinations. This study is evaluating potential improvements on NE 128th Street and the other adjacent study corridors to create a safe and attractive environment for people walking, bicycling, driving and taking transit.
For more information on this corridor study, visit the project webpage. For questions, contact Kimberly Scrivner at kscrivner@kirklandwa.gov. Thanks to everyone who attended our engagement event on June 23! We appreciate your time and value your input.
Totem Lake Boulevard and 120th Avenue Northeast
Upgrades begin Monday, June 28 at Totem Lake Boulevard and 120th Avenue Northeast. Shoreline Construction, the contractor, will upgrade water and sewer utilities, expand the width of the sidewalk along 120th Avenue Northeast’s northbound lane and add pedestrian lighting. The sidewalk’s width will match that which the City built along Totem Lake Boulevard and 120th Avenue Northeast last year. And the pedestrian lighting will match the Village at Totem Lake’s lighting fixtures.
Shoreline’s crews will work 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., Monday night through Friday morning. Hours may vary slightly. Visit: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Resident/Totem-Lake.
 98th Avenue Northeast – Juanita
Commuters should expect night construction this week along 98th Avenue Northeast, between Forbes Creek Drive and Northeast 116th Street, as a Kirkland contractor prepares to repair and repave the roadway.
To maximize traffic flow along the corridor, Lakeside Industries will be working 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Search "98th Avenue Northeast repairs" on www.kirklandwa.gov.
Northeast 124th Street, at 100th Avenue Northeast – Juanita
After this week, commuters traveling through Northeast 124th Street’s intersection with 100th Avenue Northeast will spend less time—albeit, a few seconds less—waiting to turn south from Northeast 124th Street.
During today and tomorrow, however, they might be spending a little more time waiting while a Kirkland contractor adds a second left turn-lane for the westbound-to-southbound turn.
Prime Electric plans to finish the project tomorrow. Search “NE 124th St & 100th Ave NE intersection improvement” on www.kirklandwa.gov
108th Avenue Northeast – Houghton/Lakeview
Drivers along 108th Avenue Northeast should continue to expect traffic delays into July as Marshbank Construction completes Kirkland’s upgrade of water and sewer systems.
The contractor’s crews are working 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. between Northeast 53rd and 68th streets to replace the maintenance hole lids they removed before they began the paving process.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/108thavewatersewer
Cross Kirkland Corridor – Totem Lake
A detour around the Cross Kirkland Corridor between 120th Place Northeast and 128th Lane Northeast remains in effect while a pair of Kirkland contractors use the corridor to make progress on two of Totem Lake’s most ambitious capital projects: renovation of Totem Lake Park and construction of Totem Lake Connector pedestrian and bicycle bridge.
Kirkland’s leaders expect Totem Lake Park to be complete this summer and the Totem Lake Connector to be complete later in 2022.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/totemlakeconnector or www.kirklandwa.gov/totemlakepark.
Cross Kirkland Corridor – Everest/Moss Bay
Cross Kirkland Corridor travelers will continue to encounter a short detour around the trail between Seventh Avenue South and Sixth Street South as construction of the Feriton Spur Park expansion continues.
The short detour is directing travelers to a protected pathway along Fifth Place South. The park’s developer, SRM Development, expects the detour to continue for five months. During that time, SRM Development will restrict parallel, on-street parking along the north portion of Fifth Place South.
SRM Development expects to open Feriton Spur Park to open to the public in September. The new park will extend the developed section of the Cross Kirkland Corridor to Sixth Street South with 14 improvements, including a pickleball court, urban farm and the corridor’s first bathroom.
Northeast 132nd Street - Juanita
Drivers commuting along Northeast 132nd Street, between 100th and 97th avenues northeast should continue to expect minor delays while Kirkland’s Fire Station 24 contractor and Puget Sound Energy work in the street to connect and upgrade utilities for the new Fire Station 24.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/firestation24
 |
|
Community Cooling Center
Holy Family Catholic Church
7045 120th Ave. N.E., Kirkland
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday, June 28
The Holy Family Catholic Church is opening its doors to community members who need a cool, safe place to stay on Monday, June 28, when temperatures are expected to reach the 100s. The church is located at 7045 120th Ave. N.E. in the South Rose Hill neighborhood. This cooling center will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is open to anyone. Please enter through the front doors off 120th Avenue Northeast and check in at the front desk. For more information, contact the church at: 425-822-0295.
|
 |
|
Juanita Beach Pop-up Dog Park
Juanita Beach on the north side of N.E. Juanita Drive
now through Wednesday, June 30
The Pop-up Dog Park will rotate to three different park areas, are fully fenced, and will feature both a large play area and a small play area.
Pop-up Off-leash Dog Park Locations:
June - Juanita Beach Park (9703 NE Juanita Dr) located on the north side of the park, adjacent to the ballfields. Parking is available in the gravel lot nearby.
July - Heritage Park (111 Waverly Way) located on the north side of the park, near the tennis courts. Parking is available in the gravel lot nearby.
August- Snyder’s Corner Park (13267 Old Redmond Rd)·located at the corner of Old Redmond Rd and 132nd Ave NE near the Bridle Trails Shopping Center. Snyder’s Corner Park is undeveloped, and a temporary small parking area will be accessible off Old Redmond Rd.
For additional information please check out the website at Pop-up Off-leash Dog Parks.
|
 |
|
Juanita Friday Market
Juanita Beach Park west parking lot
3 to 7 p.m. every Friday
The Juanita Friday Market takes place 3 to 7 p.m. every Friday rain or shine from June through September. Held at the newly renovated Juanita Beach Park, the market offers hot food, local fruits and veggies, decadent, handcrafted confections, baked goods, beautiful cut flowers and much more. We are thrilled to announce increased accessibility! New in 2021, we accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons for both Senior and WIC participants. The market takes place at Juanita Beach Park (9703 N.E. Juanita Drive) in the west parking lot.
|
 |
|
Kirkland Wednesday Market
Kirkland Downtown Association
3 to 7 p.m., Wednesdays in Marina Park
Shop for fresh fruits and veggies, artisan baked goods, pasta, handcrafted jewelry and much more... Right on the shores of Lake Washington!
The Kirkland Wednesday Market at Marina Park features over thirty vendors every Wednesday. New in 2021, WIC and Senior FMNP coupons are accepted at the Kirkland Wednesday Market, as well as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and SNAP market match programs. Bringing local produce and goods to downtown Kirkland all summer long, the Kirkland Wednesday Market is presented by the Kirkland Downtown Association. More information can be found at kirklandmarket.org.
|
 |
|
Cascade Water Alliance presents FREE Virtual Cascade Gardener Classes
July and August 7 p.m. Thursdays
Online virtual events
Cascade Water Alliance invites you to attend the summer Cascade Gardner series to learn more about your favorite gardening topics! These free classes are meant to help gardeners maintain healthy, beautiful landscapes while using water efficiently. The 2021 Cascade Gardener classes take place 7 p.m. Thursday evenings throughout the month of July and for the first two weeks in August. Classes are free and are held via Zoom.
Topics include:
Sustainable Northwest Natives Rain Gardens in the Pacific Northwest Don’t Squish That Bug! Organic Pest Management for the Home Gardener
Top 10 Garden Tips for Fall
Favorite Native Plants for Northwest Landscapes
Made in the Shade
Please visit the website to register.
|
 |
|
The Great Northwest 3on3
Stars Unlimited
July 31 and August 1 - Registration open NOW!
This tournament takes place on Northwest University’s beautiful campus and invites competitive basketball teams from all over the state and beyond. The divisions range from 4th grade boys and girls to competitive and recreational men's, coed and women’s divisions! This tournament offers a 4-game guarantee, skill and shooting competitions with prizes, dunk contest, special guest speakers, goodie bags for participants and trophies for the champions!
For more information about this event, please visit the event website! Are you interested in volunteering? Reach out to event organizer Jason Waltman at: jwalt20.lifechurch@gmail.com.
|
 |
|
Kirkland Summerfest
Chump Change Events
July 30, 31 and August 1 in Marina Park
Do you want to get INSIDE the action? Summerfest is recruiting volunteers!
There are lots of fun volunteer opportunities at Summerfest in both the all-ages areas as well as within the 21+ beer and wine garden. Click here to find out what volunteer slots are available and signup!
What you get for volunteering:
- Free admission to your choice of either Sip Kirkland or Sails & Ales Beer Fest, including a commemorative tasting glass (while supplies last) and ten tasting tokens. This benefit is for volunteers age 21+ only.
- A sweet custom volunteer tee
- A chance to help your community, practice your customer service and/or bartending skills
- Fame, fortune, new friends and a chance to support local nonprofits.
We hope to see you at Kirkland Summerfest 2021! For more information, visit the Summerfest webpage!
|
|
