Kirkland Parks and Community Services

06/07/2026

The METRO team will be on-site at the Peter Kirk Community Center to assist with Regional reduced Fare Permits, Adult ORCA cards, replacing lost or damaged cards, adding fare value to existing ORCA cards, to answer questions and more.

REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED; THIS IS A DROP-IN EVENT on Wednesday, June 10th from 1:30pm-3:30pm

Please call 425-587-3360 for additional dates.

06/07/2026

The last open gym of the season will be next Sunday, June 14.

Open gym will resume in September.

Got questions? Call 425-587-3350

06/05/2026

A little wildlife moment for World Environment Day!

These beavers were recently spotted swimming in Lake Washington and relaxing at Houghton Beach Park. Thanks to Nancy Blakley for sharing the Houghton Beach sighting!

What's your favorite wildlife sighting in Kirkland parks?

06/05/2026

The Senior Council's 16th Annual Art Show opens today at 5PM at Merrill Gardens. See you there!

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.

The Senior Art Show showcases many different forms of creativity. Artists are allowed to submit up to two pieces of artwork in six different categories. The categories are: Oils and Acrylics, Watercolor, Pastels and Drawing, Photography, Quilts, and Other Media.

We look forward to this special celebration of our senior community and their art!

06/04/2026

The last day of indoor playground is coming up!

The last day at the Kirkland Teen Union Building is Thursday, June 11th
The last day at the North Kirkland Community Center is Wednesday, June 17th

The indoor playground will return in September. Questions? Call 425-587-3350

06/03/2026

Join us for our NEW Intro to Jiu-Jitsu Class and learn from an incredible instructor, Solange!

Solange is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, an active competitor, and a decorated IBJJF medalist, earning a Silver Medal at NoGi Worlds (Purple Belt), Bronze Medal at IBJJF Worlds (Blue Belt)

Whether you're looking to build confidence, learn practical self-defense skills, get in shape, or start your Jiu-Jitsu journey, this is the perfect place to begin.

✅ No experience necessary
✅ Beginner-friendly
✅ Supportive and welcoming environment

Register today at KirklandParks.net and take your first step onto the mats!

Emergency contact information is now a required addition for all CivicRec accounts. Please add your emergency contact today to ensure we can reach someone quickly for you if needed. Thank you for keeping your CivicRec account up to date!

06/03/2026

Great news: The swim area at Houghton Beach Park has been cleared to reopen!🏊

Houghton Beach has been reopened as of 4 p.m., 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: https://kingcounty.gov/swimbeach.

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: https://kingcounty.gov/swimbeach.

For more information about beach closures, please watch our video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq-YP6QAym4), which explains the science behind what causes these perennial closures and provides all of us with suggestions on what we can do to help avoid closures like this in the future.

Do you want to be notified of swim beach closures and reopening? Join the King County Lake Beach Alert mailing list: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAKING/subscriber/new?topic_id=WAKING_936.

06/02/2026

Your Friday afternoons just got better. The Juanita Friday Market opens this week!

We’re kicking off the season with for favorite local farmers, makers, food vendors, music, giveaways, and raffle prizes.

Don't forget to stop by the Market Info Booth to get a FREE market tote, while supplies last. Just tell us the secret phrase "Show me the market magic" to claim your tote!

Bring a friend and your reusable bags. See you at Juanita Beach Park from 3 - 7 PM!

📍 Juanita Beach Park
📅 Every Friday, June - September
🕒 3 - 7PM

06/01/2026

First Day of Swim Lessons is TODAY!

We are so excited to welcome all of our students to the Peter Kirk Pool this evening- It’s going to be a great season!

Still looking to register or want to learn more about our swim lesson Programs? Dive into all the details at www.kirklandwa.gov/swimlerssons

See you at the pool!!

05/30/2026

Be part of Kirkland's July 4 parade:
👉Help out: https://bit.ly/volunteer-celebrate
👉Enter the parade: https://bit.ly/join-the-parade
👉Get all the details: www.kirklandwa.gov/july4

Kirkland’s favorite red, white, and blue tradition returns this summer with special meaning as the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of Independence Day. The Celebrate Kirkland Parade will bring joy, color, and community spirit to downtown on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

Join neighbors, friends, and visitors for a beloved, family-friendly parade filled with performances, decorated floats, local organizations, and hometown pride. Festivities begin with kids’ decorating stations at Lakeshore Plaza, where young participants can get parade-ready. The kids’ parade starts at 11:30 a.m., followed by the main parade at 12 p.m. The celebration will open with the National Anthem and a tribute to our honored veterans. Spectators can expect a vibrant mix of community groups, performers, businesses, and more.

Get involved and help make the magic happen:

Volunteer: Be part of the parade-day crew – https://us.openforms.com/Form/6d88122c-bf17-4142-80de-2aa2eb5746cc
Participate: Enter a float in the parade – https://us.openforms.com/Form/1ad3a0be-f80c-4cb2-9c48-495fad593ca7

Expect road closures and parking restrictions on July 4 in downtown Kirkland. Stay updated at: www.kirklandwa.gov/celebratekirkland.

We thank our sponsors, Kenworth Truck Company, Lee Johnson Auto Family, Amazon, and Kitagaito, for making this celebration possible.

Let’s come together to celebrate 250 years of independence, and the people, pride, and community spirit that define Kirkland.