Community invited to “Groundbreaking” for Parks Maintenance Center

KIRKLAND, Wash. – Community members are invited to attend a “groundbreaking” ceremony on Wednesday, May 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the new City of Kirkland Parks Maintenance Facility located at 12006 120th Pl NE. 

In 2018, the City of Kirkland purchased the property at 12006 120th Pl NE (formally Office Max) to renovate into a new parks maintenance facility for the Parks and Community Services Department. The purchase came after extensive evaluation to identify a location that would allow Parks Maintenance to best serve the community. Over the past several years the City has searched for a facility that could meet the service needs of the larger community created by the 2011 annexation of North Juanita, Finn Hill, and Kingsgate. Through annexation the City added 154 acres of parks and open spaces, including 132nd Square park, OO Denny, and Edith Moulton Park. 

“The new parks maintenance center will allow staff to efficiently and effectively serve all of the City’s treasured parks and open spaces into the future,” said Mayor Penny Sweet. “The project is another important milestone in fulfilling the commitments the City made prior to annexation.”

Because the City is renovating the existing building, the ceremony on May 22 won’t be your traditional groundbreaking event--- think sledgehammers rather than gold shovels. Attendees will have the opportunity to see the plans for the renovations that will occur at the site, as well as learn about the day-to-day operations of the City’s Parks Maintenance crews. In addition to the “groundbreaking” ceremony, Mayor Penny Sweet and Parks and Community Services Director Lynn Zwaagstra will give a brief presentation on the history and benefits of the project. Refreshments will be available. 

Parks Maintenance does not currently have sufficient space to locate all of the equipment and materials necessary to serve the 50 parks and 696 acres of land they are responsible for maintaining. The new maintenance center will be approximately 25,000 square feet and will be able to serve the department's needs much more effectively. The new location will allow the parks maintenance division to centrally locate equipment, materials, and supplies, thus increasing departmental efficiency by reducing trips and travel times. The new maintenance center will also enhance the current level of service throughout the city and will provide space for the Green Kirkland Partnership to continue to grow.

More information on the background of this project can be found on the City website.