June 4, 2026 - This Week in Kirkland - Text Version
Published on June 05, 2026
This Week: Council Recap | Pride Month | Tree Survey | CKC Open
City of Kirkland Washington sent this bulletin at 06/04/2026 05:04 PM PDT
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- Food, Fun, and Freebies at the Juanita Friday Market
- City Council Meeting Recap
- Get Questions Answered and Lend Your Voice
- City of Kirkland Kicks Off Pride Month
- Share Your Opinions on Kirkland’s Trees
- Cross Kirkland Corridor Now Open at NE 85th
- Houghton Beach Reopened for Water Activities
- Pet Licensing Gets a Paw-sitive Upgrade
- The Most Important Class You Hope You Never Need
- A Night Out for Art Lovers
- Kirkland Heights Holds Grand Opening
- Volunteer as a Recycling Steward!
- Traffic Alerts
- Upcoming Events
- Video Spotlight
Food, Fun, and Freebies at the Juanita Friday Market
Charlie Shannon and Kayla Robertson with the Juanita Friday Market stop by the studio to tell us all about the market magic, including how to get a free tote bag and win prizes on opening day. (Note: Prizes do not include free kittens.) We branch out with a tree survey, walk through the now-opened section of the Cross Kirkland Corridor, and dive into the Houghton Beach reopening. Plus, we talk about pet licensing, CPR training, the recent Council meeting, volunteer opportunities, and fun upcoming events like the Senior Art Show and Paint for a Cause.
Would you rather listen to this newsletter as a fun and dynamic podcast? Check it out.
City Council Meeting Recap
The Kirkland City Council met on June 2, 2026. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items from the meeting:
- The Mayor swore in new Fire Chief Patrick LeDoux.
- Council received a report from the Kirkland Youth Council.
- Council authorized the purchase of the former church property at NE 132nd Street.
- Council voted to surplus the Houghton Village Property as the next step in putting it on the market.
- Council reviewed draft updates to the Parks Rules in Chapter 11.80 of the Municipal Code.
Prior to the Business Agenda, the Council held a special meeting to conduct interviews for Board and Commission member candidates.
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. 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 June 16, 2026.
Get Questions Answered and Lend Your Voice
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)
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!
See an issue needing to be addressed?
Whether it’s potholes, graffiti, downed trees, or otherwise, let us know through Our Kirkland!
City of Kirkland Kicks Off Pride Month
The City of Kirkland kicked off Pride Month this week with a flag raising, proclamation readings, and fun! Pride is celebrated year-round throughout the country and typically in June to commemorate the Stonewall Riots of June 28, 1969, which were a catalyst to the gay rights movement nationwide and worldwide.
In 2025, the Council passed Resolution R-5686, which states that “the City of Kirkland stands strong in its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) values to be a welcoming, inclusive, and safe place no matter a person’s sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, especially people that identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ and does not tolerate homophobic and transphobic violence.”
The City welcomes the two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual plus (2SLGBTQIA+) community, affirming their right and dignity to live authentically, safely, and without fear of discrimination or harm. Learn more.
Share Your Opinions on Kirkland’s Trees
The City of Kirkland has launched the 2026 Kirkland Community Tree Survey. Completing the survey is a chance to share your opinions and ideas to help inform updates to the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan. The plan directs and prioritizes the City’s actions to meet community goals relating to Kirkland’s urban forest. This includes the planting and care of trees along the streets and in yards, parks, and forested areas within the city.
“Kirkland strives to achieve a balance between having a healthy, resilient urban forest and accommodating urban growth,” said City Councilmember Jon Pascal. “All of us play a role in and are affected by urban forest management, so we want our community to have a voice in our decision-making. By taking the survey, you’ll be able to share your thoughts on our community trees.”
Cross Kirkland Corridor Now Open at NE 85th
We’re back, CKC lovers! The Cross Kirkland Corridor is reopening after a closure at NE 85th Street to NE 87th Street for the construction of the 85th Street shared-use pathway. You can resume your walks, rides, and rolls on the beloved CKC trail instead of the detour. See you out there!
The trail will be open as work crews complete repairs and restorations on the CKC and continue construction on the adjacent NE 85th Street shared-use pathway throughout June. Please be aware that these crews may intermittently be present on the CKC and that trail users may at times be stopped by flaggers. Disruptions will be as rare and brief as possible.
Houghton Beach Reopened for Water Activities
Houghton Beach reopened on June 2 for swimming, wading, and other water activities, by recommendation of Public Health – Seattle & King County. The beach had been closed to swimming since May 27 due to elevated bacteria levels.
Water quality staff from the King County Water and Land Resources Division tested the water this week and notified the City that the waters were again safe for recreational use. King County crews will return weekly to the beach throughout the summer to take samples to ensure that the water is safe. For additional details, visit King County’s Lake Swimming Beach Data webpage.
Why do the swimming areas close? 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 and there will be no lifeguards on duty. For testing information or to see which beaches are open/closed, please visit the King County Lake Swimming Beach Bacteria page.
For more information about beach closures, please watch our video explaining the science behind what causes these perennial closures and what we can do to help avoid closures like this in the future.
Pet Licensing Gets a Paw-sitive Upgrade
Pet licensing in the City of Kirkland is getting an upgrade. Beginning June 1, the City launched a new partnership with DocuPet, North America’s leading pet registration and lost pet recovery service, providing community members with a more convenient licensing experience and additional tools to help reunite lost pets with their families.
Current pet licenses will remain valid until their expiration date. Residents will receive information about renewing their pet’s license through the new system as their renewal date approaches.
The Most Important Class You Hope You Never Need
Would you know what to do if someone suddenly collapsed or stopped breathing?
CPR and AED skills can help save a life while emergency responders are on the way — and they’re easier to learn than many people think.
The City of Kirkland has partnered with the Medic One Foundation to offer free CPR/AED training for community members. Participants will learn how to recognize a cardiac emergency, perform CPR, and use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Whether you’re a parent, coach, teacher, grandparent, or simply want to be prepared, this class can give you the confidence to act when every second counts.
CPR/AED Class
Wednesday, June 17, 4-8 p.m. at the Kirkland Justice Center
A Night Out for Art Lovers
The Senior Council’s 16th Annual Art Show is almost here! Community members are welcome (and encouraged!) to attend the show, which kicks off at 5 p.m. on June 5 at Merrill Gardens, 14 Main Street South in Kirkland. There will be a reception from 5-7 p.m. with live music, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and a no-host bar serving Northwest wines and beer.
The show features the work of artists ages 50 and up. Attendees can vote for their favorite artwork in six different categories during the June 5 reception. At 7:30 p.m., winners will be announced and receive ribbons. The This Week in Kirkland podcast team will be recording on site, so be sure to say hi!
Participants’ artwork will continue to be displayed in the lobby of Merrill Gardens until June 12. It will be available for viewing between the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
We look forward to this special celebration of our senior community and their art!
Kirkland Heights Holds Grand Opening
Kirkland Heights is officially open! In partnership with the City, the King County Housing Authority redeveloped and revitalized an existing affordable housing community. Nine hundred Kirklanders will be able to call it home.
The community was originally built in the 1970s and included 180 units. Now, the property features 276 rental homes across 27 buildings. There are also new gardens, play areas, recreation amenities, and community gathering spaces where families and neighbors can connect.
Projects like Kirkland Heights are part of the City’s plan to address housing affordability across our region and make Kirkland more inclusive and livable. For more information, visit the City’s Housing webpage.
Volunteer as a Recycling Steward!
This summer, the City of Kirkland is looking for volunteers that want to help the community be more sustainable through reducing waste and proper sorting of materials. Assist outside at the Kirkland Wednesday Market to help educate community members. A friendly expert lead will be with you on site. This role is fun, rewarding, and has one of the most beautiful views in the City! Express interest and ask questions to volunteer@kirklandwa.gov.
Beautiful Long Days of Summer Are Calling for Volunteers in Our Parks
With the summer solstice around the corner, these longer, brighter days are the perfect opportunity to get outside and give back to your local parks with the Green Kirkland Partnership. Sign up today to help with mulching, weeding, and watering in our natural areas as we care for Kirkland’s forests. All are welcome, and training is provided.
Upcoming Stewardship Events with Green Kirkland – June 2026
Traffic Alerts
(1) NE 85th Street: Shared Use Pathway
NE 85th Street continues to usher a single lane of traffic eastbound (uphill), between 6th Street and I-405 while a Kirkland contractor finishes a shared-use pathway that parallels NE 85th Street. Westbound travel has returned to two lanes from the 114th Avenue NE/Kirkland Way roundabout.
(2) NE 85th Street Eastbound 3rd Lane Project
Drivers can expect a week-long disruption to travel on NE 85th Street between 120th Avenue NE and 124th Avenue NE. Beginning Sunday, June 7 at 9 p.m. through Friday morning, construction will close the westbound left-turn lane from NE 85th Street to 122nd Avenue NE. A signed detour will reroute westbound drivers. On Tuesday, June 9, Thursday, June 11, and Friday, June 12, eastbound NE 85th Street will be reduced to one through lane between 120th Avenue NE and 124th Avenue NE as the contractor pours the concrete for the road median.
(3) 116th Avenue NE Water Check Valve
Drivers will encounter alternating traffic controlled by flaggers on 116th Avenue NE between NE 100th Street and NE 95th Street. Traffic control is expected between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily.
(4) Interstate 405 Southbound Closure in Kirkland
WSDOT is expected to close NE 85th Street between 6th Street and 120th Avenue NE from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, June 10 and Thursday, June 11 (subject to change). Visit WSDOT’s project website for updates.
Upcoming Events
Family Fun Painting Night at the Kirkland Teen Union
Location: Kirkland Teen Union Building | 348 Kirkland Ave.
Join us for a fun and welcoming family painting night at the Kirkland Teen Union! Paint for a cause while enjoying a creative evening together. Artwork created at this event will be featured for sale at our annual celebration, with all proceeds supporting young people in our community and helping put them on a path to economic mobility. All painting supplies, light snacks, and beverages are provided — just bring your creativity! Learn more.
Co-Working and Business Advising Day
Location: Kirkland City Hall | 123 5th Ave.
Join us for a dynamic day of co-working, created specifically and exclusively for entrepreneurs, founders, and business owners in the beautiful city of Kirkland, right at City Hall. Hosted by the City of Kirkland, Startup425, and OneEastside, Startup and Small Business Co-Working is designed to foster collaboration, inspire innovation, and provide valuable resources to help you thrive in your entrepreneurial journey along with fellow entrepreneurs, founders, and business owners. Learn more.
WM Recycle Right Event
Location: Lake Washington Institute for Technology | 11605 132nd Ave. NE
WM and the City of Kirkland’s Recycle Right Events allow residents to dispose of recyclable items such as electronics, textiles, and paper for shredding. This is a free event, and there is no cost to drop off the accepted items. The event organizers and staff reserve the right to refuse to take items that are not listed on the accepted items list, damaged, contaminated, or too large to handle. View the full list of items that are accepted here.
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Video Spotlight
Looking for bike routes around Lake Washington High School and surrounding middle schools? Check out this video by Eva Odderson, one of the Sustainability Ambassadors who works on promoting sustainable transportation options to Kirkland youth.