 We’re joined by Rukia Yosif, Environmental Education and Outreach Coordinator for the City of Kirkland, to talk about the popular Spring Recycling Collection Event and how residents can make the most of it. >> Check it out.
The Kirkland City Council met on May 5, 2026. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the Business Agenda:
- Council approved zoning code amendments for the NE 85th Street Station Area.
- Council approved this year’s Neighborhood Safety Program projects.
- Council was briefed on new state requirements for incentivizing affordable housing on faith-owned land.
- Council discussed a draft scope of work for a new Kirkland tool library.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council held a Study Session where they discussed:
- An overview of Kirkland’s Public Defense Services
- Proposed amendments to the Code Enforcement Process
How to watch: Kirkland City Council meetings are streamed live and can be watched after the fact on the City’s:
Meetings are also televised on Comcast Cable Channel 21 and Ziply Cable Channel 31. To watch the Council discussions on the specific agenda items outlined above, visit the City’s website. The full agenda packet with information on each item is located on the City’s website.
The next City Council meeting is on May 19, 2026.
Not sure where to find what you’re looking for?
Check out Ask Kirkland – the City’s website chatbot. Click on “Let’s Chat” in the lower righthand corner.
You can also text Ask Kirkland to ask questions via SMS. Just text:
1-866-527-KIRK (5475)
|
|
Have a question for the City but aren’t sure where to ask?
Rep’d is an innovative video platform that allows City staff to quickly and easily share short, plain-language answers to community questions. Ask a question today!
|
See an issue needing to be addressed?
Whether it’s potholes, graffiti, downed trees, or otherwise, let us know through Our Kirkland!
|
Kirkland’s favorite red, white, and blue tradition returns this summer with special meaning as the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of Independence Day. The Celebrate Kirkland Parade will bring joy, color, and community spirit to downtown on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
Join neighbors, friends, and visitors for a beloved, family-friendly parade filled with performances, decorated floats, local organizations, and hometown pride.
Festivities begin with kids’ decorating stations at Lakeshore Plaza, where young participants can get parade-ready. The kids’ parade starts at 11:30 a.m., followed by the main parade at 12 p.m. The celebration will open with the National Anthem and a tribute to our honored veterans. Spectators can expect a vibrant mix of community groups, performers, businesses, and more.
Get involved and help make the magic happen:
We thank our sponsors Kenworth Truck Company, Lee Johnson Auto Family, Amazon, and Kitagaito for making this celebration possible.
Let’s come together to celebrate 250 years of independence, and the people, pride, and community spirit that define Kirkland.
Starting in May, the City of Kirkland will begin updating its 20 MPH school speed limit signs. Two new types of signs will be introduced in school zones across Kirkland to make it clearer to drivers when they must slow down while driving in these areas. In-street pedestrian crossing signs will also be added to some school crosswalks.
The two new types of signs are for full-time and all-day school zone speed limits. Full-time school zone signs read, “School Speed Limit 20,” indicating that a speed limit of 20 miles per hour is in effect at all times — 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year long. The other new school zone signs read, “School Speed Limit 20 7 AM – 5 PM School Days,” meaning the school speed limit is in effect between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any day that school is in session. Refer to Lake Washington School District’s academic calendar for the school schedule.
Read the full news release here.
The lower level of the I-405 / NE 85th Street interchange will open on Monday, May 11, after a weekend closure of NE 85th beginning at 10 p.m. Friday. With the new setup, drivers should expect to encounter new multilane roundabouts. They will keep traffic moving with fewer stops and delays.
Does the idea leave your head spinning? Follow these tips to keep yourself, other drivers, bikers, and pedestrians safe while driving in multilane roundabouts:
-
Choose the appropriate lane based on the lane assignment signs.
-
Stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk before entering the roundabout.
-
Look to your left and yield to drivers already in the roundabout.
-
Stay in your lane and let the pavement markings guide you.
-
Be courteous and use your right turn signal to indicate your exit to the vehicles around you.
-
Stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk while exiting the roundabout.
Remember, this is still an active construction zone, so please go slow.
Watch this video to learn more about safely navigating roundabouts.
May is Bike Everywhere Month and Wednesday, May 13 is this year’s official Bike Everywhere Day (formerly Bike to Work Day).
Stop by “celebration stations” for goodies at Evergreen Point / 520 Trail, or at Feriton Spur Park along the Cross Kirkland Corridor, or wherever there’s a station along your route.
A map of celebration stations is available here.
|
As the weather warms up, more people are getting out on bikes across Kirkland. It’s a great way to get around — but it also means we all need to do our part to stay safe.
Whether you’re riding or driving, a few simple habits can help prevent crashes and keep everyone moving safely.
If you’re riding:
- Wear a helmet and make sure it fits properly.
- Ride with traffic and follow the rules of the road.
- Stay alert and avoid distractions.
If you’re driving:
- Give people on bikes plenty of space when passing.
- Check for bikes before turning or opening your door.
- Slow down and look for cyclists, especially in intersections.
Staying alert helps everyone get where they’re going safely.
May is Wildfire Awareness Month and a good time to think about how we can all help reduce fire risk in our community.
Even in Western Washington, dry conditions can increase the chance of brush fires — especially in greenbelts, wooded areas, and along trails.
Simple steps at home can help reduce your risk:
- Keep vegetation trimmed and remove dry debris.
- Create space between flammable materials and structures.
- Follow local burn restrictions and fire safety guidance.
A little space around your home can make a big difference in keeping your home and neighborhood safe. Learn more: nfpa.org/wildfire.
The City of Kirkland and Energy Smart Eastside are hosting the Kirkland Heat Pump Workshop on Monday, May 18, 2026. The interactive event, which will take place from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Peter Kirk Community Center (352 Kirkland Ave.), will teach community members about the benefits of heat pumps. Workshop attendees will qualify for a special discount from AirGanic, a local heat pump contractor.
More than half (51%) of Kirkland’s greenhouse gas emissions come from energy use in residential and commercial buildings, and the single biggest driver is the heating and cooling of these spaces. With heat pumps, residents can improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce their carbon footprint. Not only are heat pumps cleaner compared to traditional gas furnaces, they offer both heating and air conditioning as well as filter inside air.
Heat pumps can also reduce a household’s energy bills. To offset the costs of installation, Energy Smart Eastside has special rebates for residents of Kirkland and the program’s five other participating cities. These rebates can be combined with other utility incentives for thousands of dollars in savings on heat pumps.
|
The Kirkland Police Department is hosting an informative presentation to learn about personal gun safety in the home, including secure firearm storage and firearm laws. Participants will hear from Kirkland Police Officers as they teach about firearms safety and proper storage techniques.
The class will be held on Wednesday, May 20, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Kirkland Police Department inside the Totem Lake Room, which is adjacent to the Police Department Lobby. Attendees must be 21+ years old and reside within the City of Kirkland. Space will be limited to 20 participants.
Note: We ask that attendees DO NOT bring their personal firearms to the class, as there will be inert training aids utilized as part of the presentation.
Sign up here.
For more information, please email Sergeant James Hill at jhill@kirklandwa.gov.
Kirkland will celebrate art and ageless creativity once again with the Senior Council’s 16th Annual Art Show on June 5. Submissions are currently open to community members who are 50 and older. The public is welcome (and encouraged!) to attend the show, which will be held at Merrill Gardens at 14 Main Street South in Kirkland.
The Senior Art Show welcomes all forms of creativity. Senior artists who wish to participate can submit up to two pieces of artwork in six different categories. The categories are: Oils and Acrylics, Watercolor, Pastels and Drawing, Photography, Quilts, and Other Media.
To submit, artists can request an application from Scouncil@kirklandwa.gov. Applications are due on Friday, May 29. Participants should then deliver their artwork to Merrill Gardens between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 4 and sign the Hold Harmless Agreement. Following the show, artwork must be picked up at Merrill Gardens between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on June 12.
To kick off the event, there will be a reception on June 5 from 5-7 p.m. with live music, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and a no-host bar serving Northwest wines and beer. Attendees can vote for their favorite artwork in the six categories during this time. At 7:30 p.m., winners will be announced and receive ribbons.
Participants’ artwork will continue to be displayed in the lobby of Merrill Gardens until June 12. It will be available for viewing between the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
We look forward to this special celebration of our senior community and their talent!
Every construction project starts with a vision, and bringing it to life inevitably comes with challenges. Luckily, the process doesn’t have to be so daunting for Kirklanders who are looking to build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) — that is, a small, self-contained home — on their property. As part of a plan to tackle the affordable housing shortage in our area, the City has compiled a gallery of pre-approved ADU plans to make it faster, more predictable, and cheaper for homeowners to build these additions.
A pre-approved plan can simplify and speed up the steps before construction. Each ADU design in the gallery is already complete and meets City codes, so you’re not starting from scratch. It eliminates guesswork and enables you to skip ahead in the process. Plus, designs can still be tailored to your specific needs for your ADU; certain plans offer options to customize materials or layout variations, such as an extra bedroom or a mirrored layout.
If you find a pre-approved design that fits your lot, lifestyle, and budget, you can connect with the designer and pay their fee (up to $1,000) to use the plan. They may also require you to sign a liability release. Then, you can work with the designer or another authorized professional to submit for the building permit. This route can help save additional time — the permit approval may come in as little as three weeks, rather than taking approximately three months.
ADUs are serious investments, in terms of both time and money, but they can pay off in the long term through rental income, sale of the unit, increased property value, or family support. If you’re interested in building one, the first step is to check what’s possible on your property. From there, pre-approved plans may be a great path for you to be able to start building sooner.
May is Building Safety Month, and Week 1 is all about “Safe Homes, Strong Communities.” The International Code Council recommends these small, routine efforts to keep your home safer:
-
Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries once a year.
-
Check your electrical panels and outlets for heat, buzzing or discoloration.
-
Inspect your home’s plumbing for leaks.
-
Clean your dryer vents and replace HVAC system filters as recommended by your appliance’s manufacturer.
-
Clean gutters and remove overgrown plants and debris from the outside of your home.
|
Imagine the warm Hawaiian sand between your toes as a thank you for saving lives in the Pacific Northwest! In gratitude for your blood donation in May, you can enter to win roundtrip airfare for two plus a three-night stay in a lush oceanview room at Oahu’s beautiful Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort. Your donation makes a real impact in our local hospitals and could turn into the getaway of your dreams.
Sign up to Donate Blood in Kirkland:
Discover what’s blooming in your local parks and forests while making a positive impact with Green Kirkland.
From weeding to mulching to caring for new plantings, there’s a role for everyone.
No experience needed — just bring your enthusiasm! We’ll provide the tools and training.
(1) NE 85th Street: Shared Use Pathway
NE 85th Street continues to usher a single lane of traffic in each direction, between Interstate 405 and Sixth Street while a Kirkland contractor builds a shared-use pathway that parallels NE 85th Street.
Night work may detour eastbound NE 85th Street traffic from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. to complete the grind and overlay the two eastbound lanes of NE 85th Street. Westbound travel on NE 85th Street will not be detoured.
(2) NE 85th Street Eastbound Third Lane Project
Drivers can expect night construction to continue east of Interstate 405 on NE 85th Street. Traffic control begins by 9 p.m. and ends by 5 a.m. to avoid disruption to NE 85th Street. Plan for travel delays due to construction from 120th Avenue NE to 122nd Avenue NE as Kirkland’s contractor finishes watermain work and moves onto concrete and street repairs. Work on this project is expected throughout spring.
(3) 124th Avenue NE Pedestrian Improvements
Drivers should expect occasional work on 124th Avenue NE near NE 145th Street as Kirkland’s contractor finishes sidewalk work for this Transportation Benefit District sidewalk and crossing project. PSE crews will be on site before the contractor returns to activate the crossing. Pedestrian flags are temporarily installed at this new crosswalk.
(4) NE 87th Street/116th Avenue NE Intersection Design
Drivers should expect flaggers controlling alternating traffic at the curve of NE 87th Street to 116th Avenue NE as geotechnical investigation borings are conducted for a future project. This work will occur the week of May 11 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
(5) 116th Avenue NE Water Check Valve
Drivers will encounter road closure and detour of 116th Avenue NE between NE 100th Street and NE 95th Street. This road closure begins as early as Monday, May 11. The road will be closed between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily.
Conversations with Council
Join us Saturday, May 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the downtown Kirkland Library (308 Kirkland Ave.) for the next Conversations with Council event.
This casual, drop-in gathering is part of City Council’s pilot community engagement program, bringing monthly conversations to locations across Kirkland and creating space for listening, connection, and dialogue. There is no agenda or presentation — just B.Y.O.T. (Bring Your Own Topic)™. Share ideas, ask questions, and talk with your Councilmembers about what matters most to you. Light refreshments will be served. To learn more about the program, visit: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/City-Council/Conversations-with-Council.
Downsizing and Decluttering: You Can’t Take It with You
Location: Peter Kirk Community Center
You can spend a lifetime accumulating treasures, trinkets and memories. All the “stuff” can make downsizing feel like a monumental endeavor. Join AARP Washington as we share tips to tackle even the most daunting task of decluttering and preparing for your next stage in life.
|
Spring Recycling Collection Event
Location: Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s South Parking Lot
Just in time for spring cleaning, the City of Kirkland is hosting a Recycling Collection Event! Kirkland residents can bring hard-to-recycle items, like scrap metal, electronics, Styrofoam, and tires (with exceptions). Bring exact cash for items with a drop-off fee. Find the full list of accepted items and fees here.
|
Crabby Old Pharts Pea Patch Ribbon Cutting
Location: Rose Hill Meadows Park, 8046 124th Ave. NE, Kirkland
Join us for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the newest community gardens in the City of Kirkland park system on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at noon. The Crabby Old Pharts Pea Patch at Rose Hill Meadows was made possible by the generous land donation of Larry Miller.
An enthusiastic gardener, Mr. Miller often invited neighbors to use his land for gardening as well. Mr. Miller donated the property to the City of Kirkland with the vision of expanding it into a community garden, and he even requested the unique name for the garden.
The space includes 40 standard plots and six ADA-accessible plots with water and on-site composting. There’s limited on-site parking with two ADA parking stalls. Street parking is available on 124th Avenue. More information about the pea patch.
|
Want a monthly Events Guide delivered to your inbox? Sign up for our Events Newsletter.
Have you ever had this happen to you?
“I recently bought and used a recyclable plastic bag to collect all my recyclables, but my recycling wasn’t picked up and my cart was tagged. Why did this happen?”
Rukia answers the question and provides helpful recycling tips in this short video.
|
