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August 14, 2025
Ever wondered how we know if Kirkland’s beaches are safe to swim? This week, we go behind the scenes with King County’s water testing team answering your top questions, busting some myths, and sharing three tips every beachgoer should know. Check it out.
The next regular meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on September 2, 2025. More information about the meeting will be included in an upcoming edition of ‘This Week in Kirkland’ and on the City Council webpage.
As of 4 p.m. on August 12, Public Health – Seattle & King County is recommending that people and pets continue to stay out of the water at Houghton Beach Park for at least an additional week due to elevated bacteria levels.
Read more.
Every week from mid-May through mid-September, King County tests water at many swim beaches across the region, including Kirkland, to ensure safe swimming. King County tests for bacteria, which tells them whether there is poop in the water from people, pets, or wildlife. And at many beaches, they also test for toxic algae. Poop or toxic algae can make people sick from swimming or playing in the water.
The King County Environmental Lab collects and tests more than 1,600 water samples every year from the beaches. Public Health – Seattle & King County reviews the water test results to see if there is too high a chance of people getting sick from swimming or playing in the water.
In any lake, stream, or the Puget Sound, there is always some chance of getting sick from swimming or playing in the water. That’s why it’s always a good idea to wash your hands after you’ve been in the water or playing in the sand, especially before you eat. Most of the time, there’s a low chance of getting sick. But any time that there’s too high a chance of getting sick, Public Health will recommend that people stay out of the water for now.
Three tips for beachgoers:
- Check the Swim Beach website before you go.
- Find another open beach if your favorite is closed.
- Check the data. Beaches are tested weekly.
Want to know more about the swim beach testing program? Check out King County's FAQs on the topic.
After more than three decades in law enforcement and over nine years as Kirkland’s Chief of Police, Cherie Harris has announced her retirement, effective September 3, 2025.
“Chief Harris is recognized for strengthening community partnerships, advancing department accreditation, and contributing her expertise to state and regional public safety initiatives,” said Councilmember Penny Sweet. “Her leadership has made Kirkland safer, stronger, and more connected. We are grateful for her years of dedicated service and the legacy she leaves in both our Police Department and our community.”
Read more.
From youth sports leagues to art classes, from family adventures to fitness programs, Kirkland’s Fall 2025 / Winter 2026 recreation season is almost here!
Registration dates:
- Kirkland residents: Wednesday, August 20 at 7 a.m.
- All community members: Thursday, August 21 at 8 a.m.
Explore the online Activity Guide, or pick up a printed guide at KTUB, community centers, City Hall, or the Juanita Friday Market on Friday, August 15.
Save time on registration day and update or create your account now at kirklandparks.net (click the “Account” tab).
Need help? Call 425-587-3336.
Join the fun and dedicated team of Green Kirkland Stewards and help engage your community in the restoration of natural area parkland in Kirkland!
Stewards are ongoing volunteers who share their love of green spaces by leading volunteers in forest restoration projects in their local parks with support and training from the Kirkland Parks Department. Stewards bring a diversity of interests, skill, and time to Kirkland's natural areas - anyone interested is encouraged to attend session one of orientation.
Orientation is free, open to the public, and is a blend of online and in-person sessions covering topics in urban forestry, habitat restoration, and volunteer management.
Register for all three sessions on the New Steward Orientation Event Page
Session 1: Program and Urban Forestry Overview (Online) - Thursday September 18, 6:00-8:00 pm. Online via Zoom
Session 2: Field Training in Restoration Practices (In-person) - Saturday September 20, 10:00am – 1:00pm. Kirkland Park TBD
Session 3: Site and Volunteer Management (Online) - Thursday September 25, 6:00-8:00 pm. Online via Zoom
To learn more about the Steward role visit the Ongoing Volunteer Roles page on the Green Kirkland website or contact Jeremy Jones, Program Coordinator (jjones@kirklandwa.gov).
Ever wondered what it’s like to work in law enforcement? If so, the Kirkland Police Department (KPD) is now accepting applications for its 2025 Community Police Academy, an interactive program that gives community members a behind-the-scenes look at how Kirkland police officers, corrections officers and professional staff work to keep the city safe.
Over eight weeks, participants will meet the people behind the badge, learn about the department’s specialized units, and take part in hands-on activities that bring police work to life. Topics include de-escalation, investigations, SWAT, drones, traffic safety, the Community Resource Officer program, and KPD’s K-9 team.
Learn more and register: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Police-Department/Community-Resources/Community-Police-Academy
At the August 1st Juanita Friday Market the solid waste team hosted a Waste Station tent and collection area. The Waste Station is a centralized garbage, recycling, and compost collection area at events. The intention is to have Waste Station Assistants available to help community members sort their items properly, answer waste related questions, and prevent contamination. It also includes a pour out bucket to help avoid putting liquids into the recycling where they can make a mess and damage paper recyclability.
We are grateful to the City’s Parks and Community Services team and some great volunteers for making the pilot possible at the Juanita Friday Market! If you missed us last week, don’t worry there are two more events coming up, August 15th Juanita Friday Market and September 13th City Hall for All! We hope to see many of you at these events and look forward to helping you sort your garbage, compost, and recycling!
Start your Thursday morning with a cup of coffee and some great conversation! Join Kirkland Police officers for Coffee with a Cop at the Art of Coffee in Totem Lake on Thursday, August 21, from 9 to 11 a.m. This casual, drop-in event is your chance to ask questions, share concerns, or simply get to know the people who serve our community every day.
Date: Thursday, August 21
Time: 9 - 11 a.m.
Location: The Art of Coffee, 12348 NE 115th Pl, Kirkland, WA 98033
No coffee purchase is necessary. Whether you’ve got a question about public safety, want to learn more about the department, or just feel like saying hello, we’d love to see you there.
The Kirkland Police Department is hosting a free, in-person class on personal firearms safety inside the home. This informative session will be led by Kirkland Police Officers, who will share best practices for safe handling and proper storage of firearms.
The class will be held at the Kirkland Police Department’s Totem Lake Room, located inside the Police Department Lobby. Space is limited to 20 participants.
Date & Time: Wednesday, August 20 from 5 - 7 p.m.
Location: Kirkland Police Department – Totem Lake Room
Eligibility: Must be 21+ and a City of Kirkland resident
Note: Please do not bring personal firearms to the class. Inert training aids will be provided for demonstration.
Reserve your spot today and take an important step toward keeping your household safe.
There is so much beautiful green adorning our lovely city. While we like to see our region’s lush plants, overgrown vegetation can cause issues. Keeping sidewalks, right-of-ways, and property lines trimmed and groomed makes getting around safer.
Here are some things to keep in mind as you trim and tend:
- It is the property owner's responsibility to maintain the area adjacent to their property, including trimming or removing plants that overhang or obstruct sidewalks, streets, or alleys and keeping sidewalks clear of debris.
- The full width of the sidewalk should be free of vegetation and debris for the safety of pedestrians. Be considerate of our neighbors using strollers, wheelchairs, or who may be visually impaired.
- To request the pruning of a tree in the right-of-way, contact the Planning and Building Department at (425) 587-3600.
- Blowing or moving leaves and debris into the street is prohibited and increases the risk of storm drain flooding, creates hazardous driving conditions, and slows down the street sweepers. Dispose of your yard waste responsibly.
For information about sidewalks and roadways, trees, mowing and more, visit our Streets and Grounds webpage.
100th Avenue Northeast
Drivers will encounter increased travel times due to reduced travel lanes on 100th Avenue Northeast/Northeast 145th Street. Kirkland’s contractor continues working on roadway regrading at the southeast corner of this intersection. The lane reductions will be in place 24/7 and are expected to continue through the end of the month, with at least one day of increased impact expected during the week of August 18 with flaggers alternating traffic. Final paving is expected in September.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/100thavedesign for project updates on Thursdays.
2025 Street Overlay Program
18th Avenue is paved from Market Street to Crestwoods Park. Kirkland’s contractor will alternate traffic through the project area as they raise the utilities to the new road surface. Crestwoods Park parking lot is expected to be paved August 25-29. 116th Avenue Northeast will alternate traffic with flaggers as permanent striping is applied August 14 and 15.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/overlay for project updates on Thursdays.
Central Way Street Preservation
Kirkland’s contractor expects to begin daytime work along Central Way on August 18. Kirkland is paving the street from Market Street to 6th Street. Drivers can expect temporary lane shifts as Lakeside Industries crews prepare the street for overlay. Most work will occur during the day, but final paving is expected to occur at night. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/overlay for project updates on Thursdays.
Northeast 85th Street: I-405 to 6th Street
Northeast 85th Street is one-month into its project-length traffic control configuration that has reduced the roadway to a single lane in each direction from I-405 to 6th Street for the NE 85th Street shared-use pathway project. The Cross Kirkland Corridor is closed at Northeast 85th Street to Northeast 87th Street.
Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/NE-85th-Street-Shared-Use-Pathway for project updates on Thursdays.
Northeast 85th Street: 122th Avenue Northeast to 120nd Avenue Northeast
On Northeast 85th Street east of I-405, daytime work begins on August 11 to build the soldier pile wall on the north side of Northeast 85th Street between 120th Avenue Northeast and 122nd Avenue Northeast. Daytime work will reduce eastbound traffic to one lane between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Overnight, traffic will be impacted from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as Kirkland’s contractor upgrades the stormwater facilities and other utility work.
Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/NE-85th-Street-Eastbound-3rd-Lane for project updates on Thursdays.
Goat Hill
During the week of August 18, Kirkland's contractor will be preparing the roads for asphalt and will have shifting work zones throughout the week. Northeast 116th Place and Northeast 117th Place are expected to be open, but Kirkland’s contractor advises drivers utilize Northeast 116th during this phase of construction. Paving is expected to begin August 25. Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/goathill for project updates on Thursdays.
124th Avenue Northeast
Work continues on 124th Avenue Northeast, between Northeast 116th Street and Northeast 124th Street. Pavement markings are now applied, and this project is headed towards completion. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/124thavenue for project updates on Thursdays.
2025 Street Slurry Seal Program
Various residential streets in the Finn Hill and Juanita area will be closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as crews slurry seal the pavement on August 12, and 15. Residents impacted have received mailed and hand delivered notices to prepare for the impacts. Several streets will be rescheduled. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/slurryseal for updates, project map, and rescheduled dates when available.
Slater Avenue Northeast/132nd Avenue Northeast at Cross Kirkland Corridor
Paving was rescheduled for this week, and if the weather held to allow paving, Kirkland’s contractor is then expected to pause construction as they await delivery (signal cabinet and signal/light poles) of very long-lead items. If paving did not occur again, it will be rescheduled (again.) Permanent lane markings will be added once the new asphalt has cured, and installation of the long-lead items is expected in early 2026. Trail users will detour to the intersection of Northeast 124th Street as we do not have a working, signalized crossing until early 2026. Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/CKC-to-Eastrail-Crossing-at-Slater-Ave-NE-132nd-Ave-NE for project updates on Thursdays.
See Spot Splash
Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Peter Kirk Pool
Bring your dog to splash and play as we celebrate the end of summer at Peter Kirk Pool. There will be vendor booths, a food truck, and lots of soggy doggy fun!
Before or after the splash, pups can enjoy some off-leash time at the Lee Johnson Field a few yards away from the pool. Pre-registration is highly recommended! Participating dogs must be well behaved, on a leash upon entering the pool, vaccinated, and licensed. To register, visit kirklandparks.net.
Blood Donation
When you donate blood, you fuel a life.
As a thank you, let Bloodworks NW fill your gas tank ALL YEAR! Donate blood August 1 – September 6, 2025, and you could be the Grand Prize winner of a $10,000 gift card to fuel your adventures. To top it off, there is a bonus giveaway where you could win one of five $500 REI gift cards to supply your road journeys.
And if that isn’t revving your engine, this will:
TRIPLE entry days are August 24 – September 3.
Book an appointment to donate blood today:
City Hall for All
Date: Saturday, September 13
Time: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Kirkland City Hall, 123 5th Ave
REconomy is hosting a Fixer Fair at City Hall 4 All! Bring small items like lamps, radios, toasters, or garments with holes or missing buttons for repair. The Shoreline Tool Library will be there with tools and volunteers to help fix and mend! It’s sustainable, educational, and free!
Learn more by visiting the City Hall for All page.
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What does the Cultural Arts Commission do? Watch our video to find out about past and future exciting projects.