View as a webpage
September 25, 2025
This week we sit down with David Lynx, Executive Director of the Kirkland Arts Center and organizer of the new Umbrella Fringe Festival, to talk about what makes Fringe such a powerful celebration of creativity. From interactive downtown art installations to a Beatles tribute with full orchestra, David shares what Kirkland can expect from its very first Fringe and why it matters that we’re part of this global tradition of artful inclusion.
PLUS, don't miss how to score 2 FREE TICKETS to the Friday night performance of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (while supplies last). Check it out.
The next City Council meeting is Tuesday, October 7. A preview of the agenda will be shared in next week’s This Week in Kirkland newsletter.
Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Learn more about the Council and current issues at kirklandwa.gov/Council.
Share Your Ideas for the Green Loop
There’s still time to help shape the vision for Kirkland’s Green Loop, a continuous trail and open space corridor planned to connect parks, trails, and destinations in the Finn Hill and Juanita neighborhoods.
Take the online survey and add your ideas to the interactive map by September 30, 2025 at kirklandwa.gov/GreenLoopPlan
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.
As of 4 p.m. on September 23, 2025, Public Health – Seattle & King County is recommending that people and pets stay out of the water at the swimming areas of 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.
Read more.
The Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC) will be fully closed starting September 29 for approximately two weeks from NE 52nd Street to 108th Ave NE as King County Wastewater Treatment Division makes emergency repairs to the Eastside Interceptor (ESI) sewer pipeline.
After the full closure, the trail will reopen at a narrowed width (about five feet) for walking and biking, with intermittent closures for 6–8 weeks during material deliveries and construction activities. Detour routes are available to help trail users navigate around the closure. View the detour map.
Why this work is happening
City water quality testing in 2024 revealed elevated bacteria levels in Houghton B1 Stream. King County engineers later confirmed a leak in the ESI pipeline and discovered a sag in the pipe that could increase the risk of structural failure. If left unaddressed, the pipeline could fail, releasing untreated wastewater into Lake Washington.
Read more about this project on King County's website.
Art, music, and culture are taking center stage in downtown Kirkland as the very first Umbrella Fringe Festival begins this weekend.
Fringe festivals around the world trace their roots back to Edinburgh in 1947, celebrating independence, creativity, and inclusion. Now, Kirkland joins the tradition with a weekend packed full of interactive installations, pop-up performances, live music, and more.
The excitement begins with an unforgettable opening night at the Kirkland Performance Center: Good Day Sunshine performing Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band alongside a full orchestra. Don’t miss this incredible Beatles tribute that sets the tone for a weekend of artistic exploration. Get tickets here.
📅 Festival Dates: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct 3 - 5
📍 Downtown Kirkland: Kirkland Arts Center, The MOD, Kirkland Urban, Kirkland Performance Center, Kirkland Teen Union Building, Kirkland Library, Moss Bay Hall
🎟️ Line Up & Details: https://kirklandartscenter.org/kirkland-fringe-festival/
🙌 Want to volunteer? Sign up here.
Celebrate the launch of a new Kirkland tradition. Join us for the inaugural Umbrella Fringe Festival 2025!
King County’s Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention is partnering with the City of Kirkland to host a free gun lockbox giveaway at Kirkland City Hall on Monday, September 29, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Safe firearm storage is one of the most effective ways to prevent tragedies in the home and community. By using a lockbox, families can reduce the risk of accidental shootings, suicide, and theft.
Community members are invited to stop by City Hall during the event to pick up a free lockbox and learn more about safe storage practices - while supplies last.
We’re in the final days of wrapping up National Preparedness Month! What items do you have at home to be prepared when disruptions or disasters occur?
Jump start your kit building by checking out out the Basic Disaster Supplies List at kirklandwa.gov/BuildAKit.
Political signs are all around Kirkland. Here is a brief reminder to the community of the rules about political signs:
In Kirkland, political 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.
Looking for a role that directly impacts people’s lives? The City of Kirkland is seeking two passionate professionals to join our Human Services Division. These vital roles support residents in times of need and expand opportunities for our community.
Housing Navigation Coordinator ($98,563.71 - $115,951.68 Annually): You’ll connect individuals and families facing housing instability with safe housing, financial support, and long-term plans while collaborating with partners and providing advocacy to ensure not only that their basic needs are met, but that they are set up to thrive.
Human Services Supervisor ($100,501.76 - $131,132.00 Annually): You’ll lead and support programs addressing homelessness, housing instability, and urgent community needs while driving strategic planning, partnerships, and funding coordination, as well as serve as a hands-on advocate ensuring every resident belongs by fostering equity, health, safety, and well-being for all Kirkland residents.
While you are making a positive impact on our community, we will be providing you with:
- 100% City-paid medical, dental & vision premiums
- Retirement & generous paid leave
- Growth & training opportunities
- A collaborative team that values your work
Learn more and apply today at kirklandwa.gov/jobs
The Mayor proclaimed the week of September 29 through October 5 as Week Without Driving Week. WWD is an opportunity for drivers to learn how non-drivers get themselves and their families around without a car.
We began promoting Week Without Driving last week, and we’ve already heard lots of great feedback from our community. Thank you! We’d love to keep hearing from you. Share your experiences and reflections by email at communications@kirklandwa.gov.
Whether it’s your first time or you’ve done it before, WWD is open to everybody.
Let’s get started! Before anything else, visit weekwithoutdriving.org/join to sign-up and use #WeekWithoutDriving to let folks know you’re part of the event.
Rally your crew! Ask the folks you know to participate, too. If they’re hesitant or turn you down, ask them why. It's a great way to learn about the transportation challenges people already face.
Plan your trips and give it a shot! Think of your usual drives and swap them for alternatives. This is a great time to teach kids about road safety and how to use our transit systems. Work with your office, you or your child’s school, your neighbors, and your colleagues to plan transit, walking, rolling, and safe biking routes. Find out if your school or work offers transit passes.
Don’t worry if you can’t totally avoid driving. Instead, ask yourself: What barriers am I running into and how would someone without the ability to drive navigate this trip?
As you’re participating, post your thoughts to social media or keep them in a journal to share later.
Join the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for the next quarterly project update meeting:
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 30
Time: 12–1:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom
At the meeting, you’ll hear updates on construction progress, learn about upcoming work, and have a chance to ask questions.
Register here.
If you can’t attend live, WSDOT will email you a recording and post it to the project webpage within one week.
About the Project
Once the I-405/NE 85th Street Interchange and Inline BRT Station is complete, it will improve access to Express Toll Lanes and provide more reliable travel options for Kirkland.
Questions
Email: I405SR167Program@wsdot.wa.gov
Call: 425-224-2423
Central Way Street Preservation
Night paving is expected to be complete by Sept. 26, but work remains on the Central Way Paving Project. Work now shifts to raising the utility access holes throughout the project area. Drivers will encounter lane shifts as the crew moves along Central Way. Uniformed Police Officers (UPO’s) will be used at intersections as Lakeside Industries crews finish the final tasks. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/overlay for project daily updates during paving.
Market Street @ 9th Avenue
Work on the Stores to Shores Greenway project may temporarily close one direction of Market Street around 9th Street to build the greenway facilities. This project is also working in the Highlands neighborhood on the Greenway route. Short detours will be posted onsite for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/storestoshores for project updates on Thursdays.
100th Avenue Northeast
Drivers will encounter traffic control at various locations along 100th Avenue Northeast for work on sidewalks, driveways, and plantings. Pavement markings will be applied along the new street.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/100thavedesign for project updates on Thursdays.
Northeast 85th Street: I-405 to 6th Street
Northeast 85th Street is 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. Work will begin on wall construction and the stormwater system near 6th Street, and continues on the bridge foundations.
Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Construction-Projects/NE-85th-Street-Shared-Use-Pathway for project updates on Thursdays.
Goat Hill
Kirkland's contractor will continue roadwork over the next few weeks. Residents should follow onsite traffic control for the most up to date information. As always, visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/goathill for project updates on Thursdays.
Lend a Hand to the Land This Fall with Green Kirkland
Make the most of crisp fall day and volunteer with Green Kirkland!
Join your neighbors in caring for local forests and natural areas this season. Whether you're weeding, mulching, or helping native plants thrive, you'll enjoy vibrant fall colors and a great sense of community.
Everyone is welcome!
Events are open to all ages following the youth and event guidelines. No experience needed—tools, gloves, and training are provided.
👉 Visit the Green Kirkland Event Calendar to learn more and sign up.
🍂 Upcoming Early Fall Events:
Medicare Information Fair
Date: Thursday, October 2
Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: Peter Kirk Community Center, 352 Kirkland Ave
Your Medicare Questions Answered - All in One Place!
Learn about Medicare parts, enrollment, benefits, and plan options. Explore changes during Open Enrollment and how to get help with costs. Presentations by SHIBA volunteers throughout the day, offering free, unbiased Medicare assistance. Meet providers onsite to answer your questions
Free
This is a drop-in event, no registration required.
Harvest Festival
Date: October 4, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Juanita Beach Park, 9703 NE Juanita Drive
Activities include Rustic Bites Round Up, live music, artisan food and craft vendors, photo booths, and apple cider pressing. We’ll also have contests including pie eating, corn shucking, and an adult pickleball tournament, as well as the Kid's Korral with faux cow milking, ring toss, horseshoes, pumpkin bowling, crafts, and pony rides, plus a special visit from Gwendolyn the Cow.
In the spirit of Harvest, please show support by bringing a non-perishable food item to donate to those in need. Donations will be accepted in the food collection tent.
More information here.
Costume Swap
Date: Saturday, October 11
Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: Kirkland City Hall, 123 5th Ave
The annual City of Kirkland Costume Swap is back! This is a great opportunity to trade in old Halloween costumes and accessories for new-to-you costumes.
Please donate gently used and clean costumes, hats, masks, and accessories at North Kirkland Community Center (12421 103rd Ave NE) or Kirkland City Hall (123 5th Ave) the week of October 6th to 10th. Then attend the swap event on Saturday, October 11th to pick up your new-to-you costumes and accessories for you and your family!
To learn more about the swap, visit this page.
Fall Recycling Collection Event
Date: October 18, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Lake Washington Institute of Technology - South Parking Lot, 11605 132nd Ave NE
Do you have hard-to-recycle items piling up at home? Not sure what to do with them? Well, the Fall Recycling Collection Event can help you get rid of many of those items legally, safely, and without sending them to a landfill. Bring items like batteries, electronics, paper for shredding, scrap metal, and scrap wood for no charge. Other select items will be accepted for small fee.
For more information, visit this page.
Want a monthly Events Guide delivered to your inbox? Sign up for our Events Newsletter.
This Preparedness Month, don’t forget your pets! 🐾 Make a plan and check out our latest video to learn how.