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July 17, 2025
Hear how Kirkland became the heart of an international youth sports event and why the Junior League Softball World Series is a home run for Kirkland families. Check it out!
The Kirkland City Council met on July 15, 2025. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting:
Council held a public hearing on the Evergreen Health Levy Lid Lift for Healthcare Services and adopted a resolution in support of the tax measure.
Council received an update on an upcoming long-term closure of the Cross Kirkland Corridor near NE 85th Street for the construction of a pedestrian shared use pathway up 85th.
Council approved the annexation of the South Kirkland Park and Ride parcel into Kirkland's municipal boundary, including a short length of the Cross Kirkland Corridor, as well as adjusting the intersection of 108th Ave NE and NE 38th Pl to be within Bellevue's municipal boundary. The Bellevue City Council is anticipated to consider the same adjustments in September or October.
The Mayor proclaimed July 18 through August 17 as “South Asian Heritage Month” and July 27 through August 2 as Junior League Softball World Series Week in Kirkland. To read more, visit the City’s website.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council held a Study Session, where they discussed potential Juanita Zoning Code Amendments for the Michael's and Goodwill sites.
How to watch: Kirkland City Council meetings are streamed live and can be watched after the fact on the City of Kirkland Facebook page and the City YouTube channel, in addition to the livestream on the City website. 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 Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
Due to elevated bacteria levels, people and pets should stay out of the water at Juanita Beach Park for at least one week starting July 15. Signs will be positioned to indicate that people and pets should stay out of the water. The rest of Juanita Beach Park 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.
For additional details, visit King County’s Lake Swimming Beach Data webpage.
An 18-year-old Seattle man is in the hospital after being rescued from Lake Washington at Houghton Beach Park on the evening of Tuesday, July 15.
At approximately 9:57 p.m., Kirkland Police and Fire were dispatched to reports of a possible drowning. Rescue crews from Kirkland, Bellevue, and Redmond responded to the scene.
Witnesses reported the man had been swimming with friends from the north dock to the south dock when he went under and did not resurface. Three off-duty City of Kirkland lifeguards were already in the water searching when Kirkland Fire crews arrived.
A Kirkland Firefighter located the man at the bottom of the lake, and the water rescue team quickly pulled him to shore. He was treated by medical personnel before being transported to a local hospital. It is believed the man was underwater for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. No additional details of the man’s condition are available at this time.
This incident is a sobering reminder of the importance of water safety, especially during the summer months when more people are enjoying the lake.
Kirkland Fire and Police encourage the community to keep the following water safety tips in mind:
- Know your limits: Lake Washington may appear calm on the surface, but swimming long distances can be physically demanding. Only swim as far as you're confident you can return.
- Wear a life jacket: Even strong swimmers can tire or experience muscle cramps. Life jackets save lives, especially in open water.
- Be cautious of cold water shock: Lake temperatures can remain dangerously cold below the surface, even on hot days. Cold water can impair your ability to swim or breathe properly.
- Never swim alone: Always swim with a buddy and keep an eye on each other.
- Watch for sudden drop-offs: Lake bottoms can be unpredictable, with steep changes in depth.
- Call for help immediately: If someone is in distress, call 911 right away. Trained rescue personnel can respond quickly.
For more information about water safety in Kirkland, watch Let’s Chat: Water Safety from Kirkland’s Office of Emergency Management.
The City of Kirkland has begun construction on the NE 85th Street Shared-use Pathway Project, which will connect Kirkland's downtown to the new Bus Rapid Transit interchange on I-405. Work on this project will result in a temporary, long-term closure of a section of the Cross Kirkland Corridor trail beginning July 18, 2025. The closure is necessary to facilitate construction of a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge above the trail adjacent to Northeast 85th Street. The closed segment of trail will be from Northeast 85th Street to Northeast 87th Street.
Funded primarily by Sound Transit and managed by the City of Kirkland Public Works, the Project will create a multimodal connection between downtown Kirkland and the future I-405/Northeast 85th Street Bus Rapid Transit and King County Metro K-Line stations. The new pathway will provide a safer and more accessible route for cyclists and pedestrians, giving them direct access to regional transit.
The trail closure is expected until spring 2026. During this time, trail users will be directed to one of two posted detour routes:
- A shorter, non-ADA compliant detour (0.3-mile detour) via NE 87th Street and 114th Ave NE with a steep trail segment to return to the Cross Kirkland Corridor
- An ADA compliant detour (0.8-mile detour) via 6th Street South, 6th Street, and 7th Avenue using sidewalks and crosswalks, bike lanes and sharrows.
The NE 85th Street Shared-use Pathway Project is a key component of Kirkland’s long-term vision for sustainable transportation and connectivity with a thriving Rose Hill Station Area. Once completed, the pathway will feature street trees, pedestrian lighting, stormwater facilities and enhanced access to surrounding neighborhoods.
Come one, come all to the sporting event of the season! The City of Kirkland invites community members and softball enthusiasts to cheer on their favorite team at the 2025 Junior League Softball World Series. This is the 25th year in a row that the City of Kirkland has hosted the series and the event has grown into one of Kirkland’s most cherished sports traditions.
Running from July 27 through August 2, the series will be held at Everest Park where softball teams from all over the world will both compete and have the opportunity to build lasting friendships with fellow players.
To get into team spirit, the week-long community softball celebration will begin on Friday, July 25 with a celebrity softball game at 3 p.m. in Peter Kirk Park followed by a family-friendly, community rally. The event will feature a welcoming ceremony for the teams, as well as team photo ops, live performances, and a special outdoor movie screening of “A League of Their Own”.
And this year Kirkland fans have an extra reason to visit the ballfield. The Kirkland Juniors All-Star team has earned a place among the competition. Kirkland game-goers have a chance to root for the home team!
Learn more on the events page.
When the weather is hot and dry, even a small spark can ignite a fast-moving fire. Taking a few simple steps now can help protect your home and reduce your wildfire risk:
- Create a 5-foot safety zone around your home. Move anything flammable - like mulch, firewood, or patio furniture - away from walls and under decks.
- Trim trees and bushes. Clear away dead branches and keep plants well-watered.
- Clean your roof and gutters. Dry leaves and pine needles can quickly catch fire.
Want to learn more about preventing wildfires and how to prepare if one happens? Watch this short video featuring Fire Chief Joe Sanford: Let’s Chat: Wildfire Preparedness and learn how to reduce your risk this summer.
It only takes seconds for a thief to take advantage of an unlocked car door or visible valuables. A few simple habits can make your car a far less appealing target for would-be thieves:
- Always lock your doors and close your windows, even when parked at home or just stepping away briefly.
- Never leave your keys or key fob in the car. Not even a spare.
- Remove valuables or keep them out of sight. Bags, electronics, and even loose change can tempt a thief.
- Park in well-lit, visible areas whenever possible.
- Use anti-theft devices like steering wheel locks or car alarms - they act as strong deterrents.
Car theft is often a crime of opportunity. Taking a few extra seconds to secure your vehicle can go a long way in protecting it.
WM is hosting a recycling event on Saturday, August 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s south parking lot (11605 132nd Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034).
This is an opportunity to recycle unwanted textiles, electronics, reusable furniture, and paper for confidential shredding.
To recycle reusable furniture an online form must be submitted by Aug 6.
For full event details and a list of accepted items, please visit our webpage Aug 9th Recycle Right Event. This is a free event, there is no cost to recycle any of the accepted items.
For questions, please contact WM’s Outreach Coordinator at Recyclenw@wm.com.
Are you looking to use your tech skills to serve your community, belong to a mission-driven team, and thrive in your career? The City of Kirkland is seeking a skilled Network Engineer to help design, maintain, and support the City’s network infrastructure. Bring your passion for keeping networks secure, efficient, and future-ready!
This role comes with incredible benefits, including 100% City-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in a supportive and inclusive workplace.
Learn more and apply today at https://www.kirklandwa.gov/jobs
124th Avenue Northeast (Road Closure: Sunday, July 20)
Paving is expected on 124th Avenue Northeast, between Northeast 116th Street and Northeast 124th Street Sunday, July 20. The road will be closed for paving. Detours will be in place. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/124thavenue for project updates on Thursdays.
NE 85th Street
Drivers will encounter the construction zone to increase on both sides of I-405 on NE 85th Street. Two City projects, both of which are the direct result of Sound Transit’s improvements to the I-405 interchange have begun construction and traffic control. On the west side of I-405, traffic control will reduce eastbound travel to one-lane from Peter Kirk Park. Westbound travel will be reduced to one-lane to Sixth Street. This shared-use pathway project began on July 7. The Cross Kirkland Corridor will close from Friday, June 18 from NE 85th Street to NE 87th Street as work begins overhead. Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/NE-85th-Street-Shared-Use-Pathway for project updates on Thursdays.
On the east side of I-405, traffic will be impacted overnight from 8 p.m. as Kirkland’s contractor builds a eastbound third-lane between 120th Avenue Northeast and 122nd Avenue Northeast. 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
Drivers should plan to utilize Northeast 117th Place for the next month as Kirkland’s contractor beings installing two walls on Northeast 116th Place. Construction resumed on June 9 and is expected to be complete by fall. Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/goathill for project updates on Thursdays.
Slater Avenue Northeast/132nd Avenue Northeast at Cross Kirkland Corridor
132nd Avenues Northeast is reduced to a single lane heading north from Northeast 124th Street to Northeast 126th Place as the contractor creates the west side pedestrian crossing. The CKC trail is closed Monday to Friday from 128th Place NE to Slater Avenue NE. This weekday trail closure is expected into August. Construction is expected to be completed by year end. 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.
98th Avenue Northeast
Drivers will encounter traffic control for installation of a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) at Market Street’s intersection with 19th Avenue/19th Avenue West. Work will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to avoid most commuter traffic. This project is funded by the Transportation Benefit District.
100th Avenue Northeast
OMA Construction may briefly alternating traffic at various locations or if necessary, briefly stop traffic between Northeast 137th and 145th streets. The legal speed limit through the construction zone is 25 miles per hour. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/100thavedesign for project updates on Thursdays.
Totem Lake Boulevard near Northeast 132nd Street
Due to a repeated, documented history of illegal maneuvers accessing the parking garage by driving on the sidewalk, yellow center curb is being added to Totem Lake Boulevard near Northeast 128th Street. Work is expected the week of July 21, but subject to contractor availability.
FishFest
Date: Wednesday, July 23
Time: 3 - 5 p.m.
Location: O.O. Denny, 12302 Holmes Point Dr NE
Join the Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance for the joyful unveiling of new salmon art, new educational salmon signs, and the launch of new geocaching tours that foster nature connection.
Activities include:
- Unveiling of a salmon art installation on the trail created by local artist Austin Picinich.
- Unveiling of salmon signs on the trail created in conjunction with the CoSEE and Kokanee salmonspecialist Jeff Jensen.
- Launch of new geocaching tours that engage and inspire nature connection as they teach ecology.
- Poetry Reading: poet laureate Rena Priest, a Lummi tribal member, former WA StatePoet Laureate, and editor of I Sing the Salmon Home.
More info on the Event page.
Blood Drive
The 100 Deadliest Days between Memorial Day and Labor Day bring a sharp rise in trauma cases and hospitals are facing critically low supplies of blood, especially Type O. Please sign up to donate blood and help save a life.
Kirkland City Hall on August 27 and 28
Peter Kirk Community Center on August 27
City Hall 4 All
Date: Saturday, September 13
Time: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: City Hall, 123 5th Ave
Hey Kirkland! City Hall 4 All is back! It's part of Welcoming Week, a national celebration that brings neighbors together to build strong, inclusive communities for all. If you missed it last year, now’s your chance to experience the fun! Big trucks, live music, food trucks, games, giveaways, and a whole lot more. Whether you live in Kirkland or a nearby city, everyone’s invited to come see what makes Kirkland such a welcoming place.
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What does the Transportation Commission do? Watch our video to find out about past and future exciting projects.