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June 26, 2025
It’s small, it’s free, and it could stop stormwater pollution in its tracks. Learn how to score your FREE spill kit today, and how the City partners with Lake Washington School District to help protect our waterways. Check it out.
The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items on the Business Agenda, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
- Council will receive a briefing on options for covering the Peter Kirk Pool.
- Council will be presented with options for two Transportation Benefit District projects - pedestrian improvements along 124th Avenue NE and crosswalk improvements in downtown.
- Council will receive a briefing on an update to the Critical Areas Ordinance.
Prior to the above business agenda, the Council will also hold a Study Session starting at 5:30 p.m., where they will discuss:
- Presentations on the responses to Houghton Village Request for Proposals.
- Kirkland Safety Action Plan and Speed Limit Setting Policy Update.
Meeting details:
The business meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and is preceded by a 5:30 p.m. study session. The agenda for the July 1 meeting will be available on the City website prior to the meeting on the Kirkland City Council agendas webpage. You can also receive meeting agendas in your inbox by subscribing to “City Council Agendas” on the Kirkland email lists subscription page.
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.
How to participate: Members of the public wishing to address the Council may do so in-person or via Zoom during the “Items from the Audience” part of the agenda. That part of the agenda occurs at the beginning of the Council’s business meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m. Information on the comment sign up process to provide comment to the City Council, and on attending the meeting virtually, is available on the City Council webpage.
Written comments can also be submitted to CityCouncil@kirklandwa.gov. For additional questions, please call the City Clerk’s Office at (425) 587-3190.
Stay in the know: you can also get a preview of what’s coming up at Council in the coming weeks and months by checking out the City Council Agenda Calendar. Please note: this calendar is subject to frequent change and does not constitute legal notice.
Kirkland Flag Design Process Postponed to 2026
At its May 20 meeting, the Kirkland City Council decided to pause the Kirkland Flag Design Process until 2026.
Community members submitted 75 original designs, and our Kirkland Flag Learners Advisory Group (K-FLAG) has reviewed them using best practices learned from the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA). Council will use this work to guide next steps when the process resumes in 2026.
Thank you to everyone who has participated so far. Your contributions are shaping something meaningful for Kirkland’s future.
How can I contact the City with questions, requests, or suggestions?
You can always contact City staff through the Our Kirkland service portal, available on the web and mobile app. Submitting your comments through Our Kirkland ensures the right staff receives the information and can follow up with you.
Beginning June 24, 2025, Public Health – Seattle & King County is recommending that people and pets stay out of the water at 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 Houghton 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. To be notified of swim beach closures and reopening, join the King County Lake Beach Alert mailing list.
Your guide to parades, parking, and playing it safe
1. Celebrate Kirkland Returns!
Join the community downtown on July 4 for Kirkland’s favorite summer tradition—the Celebrate Kirkland Parade! Watch floats, performers, civic groups, and more. The main parade kicks off at 12 p.m. along the parade route through the downtown business district.
2. Community Coloring Mural
Swing by Central and Lake from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to make your red, white, and blue mark.
3. Teen Spirit
Teens (ages 11–19) can join KTUB staff and show off their Kirkland pride. Meet at the Information Booth at Lakeshore Plaza at 10:30 a.m.
4. Morning Fun for Families
Festivities begin at 10:30 AM with a Kids Decorating Station and princess and superhero character photo ops. The Kids Parade starts at 11:30 a.m. from Marina Park. Families are invited to walk, roll, and wave!
5. Volunteer and Be Part of It
Help us make the celebration happen! We’re still looking for volunteers for July 3–4. Roles include route monitors, banner holders, kids' activities, setup/cleanup, and more.
6. Know Before You Go
Expect street closures on Central Way, Lake St, Main St, and Kirkland Ave. Bike or take transit if you can, and check the website for parking tips and the full parade route.
7. Fireworks Are Illegal in Kirkland
Since 1999, fireworks have been banned in Kirkland. It’s against the law to light, sell, or even possess fireworks within city limits. Police will have extra patrols and may issue citations. The use and sale of consumer fireworks is also prohibited in unincorporated King County as of 2022. Please celebrate safely and leave the fireworks to permitted public displays.
Everything you need to know is available at kirklandwa.gov/CelebrateKirkland
If your business stores or handles chemicals, even just small amounts, you may be eligible for free pollution prevention resources from the City of Kirkland.
Through the regional Pollution Prevention Partnership, we’re offering select supplies at no cost.
What’s available:
- Spill Kits with gloves, goggles, absorbent materials, disposal bags, and instructions
- Secondary Containment for 5-gallon buckets and 55-gallon drums
- Drum Lids to help prevent contamination and accidental spills
These tools help you prevent pollution, protect stormwater, and avoid slips, fines, or costly cleanups.
Did we mention it’s all FREE?
Contact us today to request a free spill kit or schedule a site visit.
Learn more at: City of Kirkland Storm and Surface Water – Business Pollution Prevention
Join us as we celebrate the grand opening of the new and improved Everest Park Playground!
Bring your family and help us kick off a summer of play.
Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 1 p.m.
Everest Park Playground – 500 8th Street South, Kirkland 98033
For questions, please call 425-587-3300
Link for more info: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Whats-Happening/Community-Events/Parks-and-Community-Services/Everest-Park-Playground-Celebration
Speaking of Everest Park…the pickleball courts are getting an upgrade. The courts will be closed Wednesday, June 25 through Thursday, July 3 for resurfacing. Thanks for your patience as the courts get some much needed TLC!
As the weather warms up, open windows can bring a welcome breeze, but they can also pose a serious fall risk for young children, especially those ages 2 to 5. Every year, kids are injured in preventable window falls.
Take a moment to make your home safer:
- Keep windows closed and locked when not in use
- Open windows from the top, not the bottom, when possible
- Move furniture away from windows to prevent climbing
- Install window guards or stops (screens are meant to keep bugs out, not kids in)
Learn more and find this safety information in multiple languages from Public Health – Seattle & King County:https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dph/health-safety/safety-injury-prevention/preventing-window-falls
Summer is here, and not much rain with it. Kirkland Conserves has some helpful water savings tips for us.
Did you know…?
- Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save up to 8 gallons per day and, while shaving, can save 10 gallons of water per shave.
- The average family can waste 180 gallons per week, or 9,400 gallons of water annually, from household leaks. That's equivalent to the amount of water needed to wash more than 300 loads of laundry.
- Running the dishwasher only when it's full can eliminate one load of dishes per week and save the average family nearly 320 gallons of water annually. (this tip came from a community member!)
Follow Kirkland Conserves on Facebook and Instagram for more tips.
Clean drinking water is a finite and precious resource. Let's conserve together to show our commitment to saving water.
Political signs have started popping up around Kirkland. Here is a brief reminder to the community of the rules about political signs:
In Kirkland, signs are allowed:
- On private property with permission
- In public rights-of-way (but not in driving lanes, sidewalks, medians, or driveway aprons)
- With no limit on number
- Up to 6 sq ft per sign face
Signs must be removed within 7 days after the election. Removing or defacing signs you didn’t place is illegal. Under State statue (RCW 29A.84.040), it’s a misdemeanor to tamper with lawfully placed political signs.
The Kirkland Municipal Court is warning residents about a scam involving fake text messages that appear to come from the Washington State DMV or Motor Vehicle Administration.
The text may claim you owe traffic fines and threaten license suspension, lawsuits, or damage to your credit score if you don’t pay immediately. It includes an urgent message and a suspicious link to click.
These texts are a scam.
The DMV and the Kirkland Municipal Court will never text you to request payment.
Do not click any links or reply to the message. These are malicious links designed to steal your personal or financial information.
Scammers exploit trust and fear. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts.
I-405 and NE 85th St Projects (yes, plural)
Northbound I-405 Closure
WSDOT will close all lanes of Northbound I-405 as early at 11:55 p.m. this Friday, June 27 thru 4 a.m. Monday, June 30. The northbound on-ramp from NE 85th Street will also be closed.
The detour route will route drivers on local streets east of I-405 and back to the freeway at NE 124th Street. See the full detour route here https://wsdot.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-06/85th-NB405-70thto124th.pdf
NE 85th St Projects
The City of Kirkland expects two NE 85th Street construction projects to begin by early July. Both projects connect to the improvements being made to the I-405 intersection and are primarily funded by Sound Transit as a result of the ST3 voter-approved initiative.
On the east side of I-405, Kirkland will build a third eastbound lane between 120th Avenue Northeast and 122nd Avenue Northeast. The lane becomes a right-turn only at 122nd Avenue Northeast.
On the west side of I-405, Kirkland will build a 12’ wide ADA accessible shared-use pathway from 6th Street to connect with Sound Transit’s improvements near Kirkland Way.
Learn more at kirklandwa.gov/capitalprojects and scroll to NE 85th Street projects
New Traffic Configuration at I-405 and NE 85th St
Crews have shifted westbound traffic to a new alignment. Drivers should use caution as everyone gets acquainted with the new alignment. Eastbound traffic will be shifted to a similar alignment in a number of weeks.
Goat Hill
Drivers should expect short waits and lane restrictions 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
Slater/132nd Avenues Northeast is permanently reduced to a single lane heading north from Northeast 124th Street to Northeast 126th Place. This is consistent with Slater Avenue Northeast to the South and 132nd Avenue to the North. Drivers will encounter traffic control and heavy equipment as this project creates a signalized crossing from the end of the Cross Kirkland Corridor trail to King County’s Eastrail, as well as more pedestrian and bicyclist improvements. Construction is expected to be completed this fall. 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.
124th Avenue Northeast
Work continues on the east side of the street on 124th Avenue Northeast, between Northeast 116th Street and Northeast 124th Street. Paving is commencing, which will required some business driveways to be closed for a few hours as the asphalt sets. Drivers exiting businesses will encounter “Right Turn Only” access to 124th Avenue Northeast. Bicyclists will merge with traffic. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/124thavenue for project updates on Thursdays.
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.
Juanita Drive
Drivers will encounter one lane traffic on Northeast Juanita Drive near 86th Avenue Northeast. Flaggers will alternate traffic between 9am and 3pm. Drivers should expect delays during this time. Kirkland contractor is updating the storm water system at this location. Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/NE-Juanita-Dr-and-86th-Ave-NE-Storm-Improvements-Project for more information.
Summer Concerts at Feriton Spur Park
The free performing arts series will bring diverse performances to the amphitheater for neighbors, trail users, and the community.
- Wednesday, July 9, 2025 | 6 - 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 16, 2025 | 6 - 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 23, 2025 | 6 - 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 30, 2025 | 6 - 8 p.m.
More info on the event page.
Evening Summer Concerts
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.
- Thursday, July 10, 2025 | 7 - 8:30 p.m.
- Thursday, July 24, 2025 | 7 - 8:30 p.m.
- Thursday, July 31, 2025 | 7 - 8:30 p.m.
- Thursday, August 7, 2025 | 7 - 8:30 p.m.
- Thursday, August 14, 2025 | 7 - 8:30 p.m.
More info on the event page.
Kids Summer Concerts
Little ones will enjoy this 4-week outdoor concert series on the shores of Lake Washington.
- Tuesday, July 15, 2025 | 10 - 11 a.m.
- Tuesday, July 22, 2025 | 10 - 11 a.m.
- Tuesday, August 12, 2025 | 10 - 11 a.m.
- Tuesday, August 19, 2025 | 10 - 11 a.m.
More information on the event page.
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What does the Kirkland Park Board do? Watch our video to find out about past and future exciting projects.