 It’s a no-guest week, and we’re highlighting 8 ways to better your community this summer from Green Kirkland volunteer events and City Hall for All to Conversations with Council, summer concerts, Rec-n-Roll, Heritage Park cleanup, the Civil Service Commission, and the RCR Community Advisory Board. But that's not all! Check it out.
The Kirkland City Council met on June 16, 2026. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the Business Agenda:
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Council provided direction on the rollout of School Zone Flashing Beacons.
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Council approved dedicating the access road in the former Houghton Park and Ride for right-of-way purposes, which will assist in construction of the new Kraken Iceplex.
Prior to the above business agenda, Council held a Study Session, where they discussed:
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A report and options related to paid parking.
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An overview of Kirkland Corrections and related Police Programs.
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. The full agenda packet with information on each item is located on the City’s website.
The next City Council meeting is on July 21, 2026. Please note: last week, we shared that the 7/21 meeting would not be occurring in the Council Chambers due to planned major replacement and improvements to audiovisual and broadcast equipment. Due to equipment delays, this project has been postponed, and the 7/21 meeting will occur in Council Chambers as per usual. We will share more information about this project when we have more details. Thank you for your understanding.
Want to meet Kirkland Councilmembers in an informal setting outside of City Council meetings? Bring your own topic to the next Conversations with Council event.
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)
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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!
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See an issue needing to be addressed?
Whether it’s potholes, graffiti, downed trees, or otherwise, let us know through Our Kirkland!
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As of 4 p.m. on July 7, 2026, Public Health – Seattle & King County is recommending that people and pets stay out of the water at the swimming areas of Houghton Beach Park for at least one week due to elevated bacteria levels. Signs will be positioned to indicate that people and pets should stay out of the water. The rest of Juanita Beach and Waverly Beach remains open.
Water quality staff from the King County Water and Land Resources Division tested the water recently and found that the levels of bacteria at these beaches exceeded safe thresholds for bacteria based on the samples collected. King County crews will return to the beaches next week to collect further samples.
Why are the swimming areas closed? Swim beaches throughout King County are tested weekly by the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. If beach water tests high for bacteria, the swimming area will be closed. For testing information or to see which beaches are open/closed, please visit the King County Lake Swimming Beach Bacteria page.
 Volunteer with the Green Kirkland Partnership and help grow the next generation of healthy forests that keep our community cool and shaded.
Sign up today to help with mulching, weeding, and watering in Kirkland’s parks.
All are welcome and training is provided. Visit the Green Kirkland Event Calendar to learn more and register.
Upcoming Stewardship Events with Green Kirkland – July 2026:
Everest Park - Sunday, July 19 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Rose Hill Meadows Park - Sunday, July 19 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
North Rose Hill Woodlands Park - Saturday, July 25 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Windsor Vista Park Habitat - Saturday, July 25 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Cold water shock is a major contributor of drowning incidents: it can trigger involuntary gasping and muscle failure quickly and incapacitate even strong swimmers. Anytime water temperatures dip below 70°F (21°C), there's risk of cold water shock. Before you head out for a lake swim, check the King County lake swimming webpage for current temperatures.
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Wear a life vest during water activities.
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Keep a close eye on children.
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Alcohol enhances hypothermia.
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Even experienced swimmers can lose muscle control very quickly.
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Fast-flowing water will make rescue difficult.
City Hall 4 All is back on Saturday, September 19, and we’re looking for friendly, community‑minded volunteers to help make this signature event a success. It’s a full day of fun, learning, connection, and celebration with neighbors from across Kirkland.
Volunteers ages 16+ can choose from a variety of roles, including answering attendee questions, helping with lunch distribution, supporting the bike valet, keeping water and rest areas stocked, assisting with waste‑sorting stations, helping staff with booth activities, or joining the setup/tear‑down crew. Shifts are flexible throughout the day, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
When you sign up, you’ll complete a brief volunteer agreement and select your preferred roles and shifts. Before the event, you’ll receive a full volunteer packet with everything you need to know.
Sign up to volunteer here.
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 Do you have a passion for public service? Are you interested in fire service or law enforcement? Apply to join the Civil Service Commission! The Civil Service Commission ensures that police officers and firefighters are hired based on merit and disciplined/terminated for cause. The City is seeking applicants to fill two vacancies with terms ending December 31, 2029 and December 31, 2031.
The Commission meets the second Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. at Kirkland City Hall. To qualify, you must be a registered voter in King County, have lived in Kirkland for two years prior to appointment, and be at least 18 years of age. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals and veterans are encouraged to apply.
Learn more about this opportunity to serve your community and apply today.
 The Regional Crisis Response Agency, also known as RCR, is looking for Community Advisory Board members to help inform and strengthen crisis response services through lived experiences and perspectives.
Individuals with experience with behavioral health, homelessness, and the crisis system are encouraged to apply.
Contact info@rcrwa.org to help transform first response in our community!
On Thursday, July 16, from 4–6 p.m., you're invited to BYOT to CWC on the CKC! (Bring Your Own Topic to Conversations with Council on the Cross Kirkland Corridor).
The City is hosting the first session of its third quarter Conversations with Council events at Rotary Central Station Pavilion. Conversations with Council offers casual monthly meetups at locations across Kirkland designed to encourage open community dialogue. There is no formal agenda or presentation—just drop by, B.Y.O.T. (Bring Your Own Topic)™, share ideas, ask questions, and connect with Councilmembers.
As part of the pilot program, the City continues to explore different locations throughout Kirkland to make it easier for residents to connect with Council in familiar community spaces.
If you're unfamiliar with the location, Rotary Central Station is an outdoor pavilion located on the east side of the Cross Kirkland Corridor along Railroad Avenue, just south of Kirkland Way in the Everest neighborhood. The site was once home to Kirkland's Northern Pacific Railroad station. Through a partnership between the Rotary Club of Kirkland and the City, it was reimagined as both a public gathering place and a celebration of Kirkland's railroad heritage—making it a fitting place to bring people together for conversation. The pavilion features interpretive displays highlighting more than 100 years of railroad history in Kirkland, including historic photographs of the trains and station buildings that once stood there.
Whether you stroll, roll, or drive, we'd love to see you! Bike parking and vehicle parking are available onsite.
Learn more about Conversations with Council here.
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Kirkland Councilmembers, King County representatives, and many Kirkland neighbors came together for the grand opening of Sheila Stanton place, Kirkland's newest permanent supportive housing community.
As part of King County Department of Community & Human Services’ Health Through Housing initiative and operated by Plymouth Housing, Sheila Stanton Place will provide housing for 101 adults experiencing homelessness. The name honors Sheila Stanton, a Kirkland resident and humanitarian champion. Residents at Sheila Stanton Place have access to case management, behavioral health support, substance use services, and opportunities for community engagement, all designed to help individuals maintain housing and improve their overall well-being. Sheila Stanton Place is the result of years of collaboration between King County, Plymouth Housing, the City of Kirkland, service providers, faith leaders, and community partners working toward shared solutions to homelessness on the Eastside.
About King County's Health Through Housing Initiative: The Health Through Housing (HTH) Initiative is an innovative approach that accelerates our region’s response to chronic homelessness. King County is partnering with host cities to create up to 1,600 units of emergency housing and permanent supportive housing for people experiencing or at risk of chronic homelessness. Through innovative partnerships and close collaboration with city governments, service providers, and local communities, HTH acquires former hotels and other existing buildings and converts them into apartments that are dignified, affordable, and service enriched. HTH offers two types of housing, Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and Emergency Housing (EH), both of which feature 24/7 staffing and supports.
Learn more here.
(1) NE 85th Street Night Closure between 6th Street South and 120th Avenue Northeast
WSDOT is expected to close NE 85th Street between 6th Street South and 120th Avenue Northeast beginning at 9 p.m. Thursday, July 9 and ending at 5 a.m. Friday, July 10. Local detours will be in place to the NE 70th St Interchange.
(2) Northbound 405 Closed at NE 70th Place July 24-27
WSDOT is expected to close northbound I-405 at Northeast 70th Place to Northeast 85th Street. This closure will begin as early as Friday, July 24 at 9 p.m. and ends by 5 a.m. Monday, July 27. This closure is to cross the northbound section of the highway with a fish passage culvert. The previous northbound closure in 2024 caused extensive neighborhood congestion and freeway backups that reached I-90. Lessons learned from that incident are influencing the closure/detour route decisions for this final freeway closure and broad regional notification is intended to divert traffic away from the closure. However, Kirklanders should anticipate HEAVY congestion on local roads between NE 85th Street and SR 520.
Evening Summer Concerts
Date: Thursday, July 9
Time: 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Location: Marina Park | 25 Lakeshore Plaza
Enjoy weekly outdoor concerts on the shores of Lake Washington in Kirkland's beautiful Marina Park.
Soak up the sun with an outdoor Thursday evening concert. Bring friends and enjoy the music during this summer favorite. All summer concerts are free to attend and are a great way to gather with the community.
Location: Edith Moulton Park | 13634 108th Ave NE
The Rec-n-Roll van brings free summer fun to parks around Kirkland during the summer. Enjoy yard games, arts and crafts, and more. Lunch will be provided while supplies last. Appropriate for ages 5 - 13. No registration is needed.
Learn more.
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Location: Heritage Park | 111 Waverly Way
Join the Kirkland Parks Operations Department in person for the 2nd Saturday at Heritage Park! It's a great chance to get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and help keep our beach sparkling clean. Bring your friends, family, and good vibes—let’s make a difference together. All supplies will be provided, just bring your enthusiasm!
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Got questions about Kirkland's water? We've got answers!
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