City of Lake Forest Park
17425 Ballinger Way NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
www.cityoflfp.gov
206-368-5440

October 2025

City Invites Residents to Q&A Sessions 

on Police and Public Safety Levy

Lake Forest Park residents are invited to take part in upcoming information sessions about the proposed six-year police and public safety levy that will appear on the November 2025 ballot.

The City will host two opportunities for the community to learn more about the levy measure:

• Saturday, October 18, 9:00 a.m. at City Hall
• Wednesday, October 22, 6:00 p.m. at City Hall

Each session will include a short presentation followed by time for residents’ questions.

In a recent community survey, residents identified public safety as their top priority. In response, the City Council advanced this ballot measure to help maintain critical services such as 911 dispatch, police staffing and training, court services, and mental health diversion programs.

Without additional revenue, these services are becoming increasingly difficult to sustain. Costs for police, jail, and related services have risen significantly, and inflation has increased nearly 24% over the past four years, while state law limits property tax revenue growth to just 1% annually.

The proposed levy would set a rate of $0.24 per $1,000 of assessed property value, beginning in 2026 and lasting six years. Tax exemptions are available for qualifying low-income seniors, disabled veterans, and residents with disabilities.

Residents who want to learn more before the events can visit cityoflfp.gov/lid-lift-info or email City Administrator Phillip Hill at phill@cityoflfp.gov with questions.

PROJECT INFORMATION 

• City Council Approves Contract for Roundabout Project
• King County Annual Overlay Project
• Temporary Burke-Gilman Trail Closure Oct 2 - Nov 7
• Reminder: SR 104 Closure Near 35th Ave NE for Lyon Creek Fish Passage

City Council Approves Contract for SR 104 and 40th Place NE Roundabout Project

On September 11, the Lake Forest Park City Council approved Resolution 25-2028, allowing the City to move forward with a contract with Johansen Construction Company for the SR 104 and 40th Place NE Roundabout project.

After a competitive bidding process in July, Johansen Construction Company was selected with the lowest responsible bid of approximately $5.4 million. The total project cost is estimated at approximately $8.6 million.

Construction is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2026 and is expected to last approximately 18 months. Once complete, the roundabout will improve traffic flow and safety for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists and will feature new sidewalks, shared-use pathways, pedestrian crossings with refuge islands, and upgraded street lighting.

More information, including contract details, is available in the City Council agenda packet. You can also learn more about the project on the City’s website.

Questions? For more information, please contact:

Mike Read
Senior Project Manager
(206) 957-2836 | mread@cityoflfp.gov

Katie Phillips
Project Manager
(206) 957-2812 | kphillips@cityoflfp.gov

King County Annual Overlay Project Began September 19, Expected Through Early October

Each year, the City partners with King County to overlay a portion of City streets with new asphalt. The schedule is set by the County’s contractor, and our portion of the project began with asphalt grinding Friday, 9/19/2025, and final paving estimated for 10/3/2025.

The overlay locations are (see map below):

• NE 201st Place, 4240 to West side of 47th Ave NE
• 47th Ave NE from South side of NE 201st Place to 55th Ave NE
• NE 203rd Place from 45th Ave NE to NE 201st Place 

Traffic delays can be anticipated Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM– 4:30 PM during the project. This project is weather dependent. Should there be a rain event, the project timeline will be pushed out a week.

Please stay alert when traveling in the Horizon View neighborhood. Reader boards and traffic control signage will be posted and updated to inform drivers and residents. Construction equipment will be staged throughout the project and will be present overnight in some places. Equipment will move with the project at as it progresses.

Temporary Burke-Gilman Trail Closure Oct 2 - Nov 7

From October 2 to November 7, 2025, King County Parks contractors will be making intersection improvements along the Burke-Gilman Trail in Lake Forest Park between NE 147th St. and Ballinger Way NE. Work will include installing ADA accessible warning surfaces, updating pavement markings, and removing bollards.

During construction, a detour will be in place at the trail intersection at Beach Drive near NE 155th St. All other trail intersections will remain open for users to pass around the work sites. 

For the latest closure information, visit kingcounty.gov/funfinder.

Reminder: SR 104 Closure Near 35th Ave NE for Lyon Creek Fish Passage

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is continuing work on the SR 104 Lyon Creek Fish Passage project, which began in July 2025.

All lanes of SR 104/Ballinger Way NE just west of 35th Avenue NE closed on Thursday, September 4, 2025. This closure will remain in place 24 hours a day for approximately five weeks, lasting up to 44 days.

During this time, crews are removing the existing culvert and installing a larger replacement structure to improve fish passage and habitat. Work may extend into spring 2026 for final paving and striping, depending on weather conditions.

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has installed signed detours to guide vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists throughout the closure period.

Detours include:

• Vehicles: Northeast 195th Street and 35th Avenue Northeast
• Pedestrians/Bicycles: Northeast 190th Street and 35th Avenue Northeast

This project is owned and managed by WSDOT. For questions, please contact Casey Conley, WSDOT Construction Communications, at casey.conley@wsdot.wa.gov or 206-718-4182.

The WSDOT project website and Travel Center map are great resources for staying informed about project progress and regional construction.

EVENTS 

• 25^th Birthday Weekend at the Commons – September 26 - 28
• City of Kenmore’s Green Jobs & Networking Fair – Wednesday, October 1
• Community Preparedness Fair – Saturday, October 11
• Storytime @ The Museum – Saturday, October 11
• LFP Climate Hub – Sunday, October 12 
• ShoreLake Arts' 6 x 6 NW Visual Arts Show - Saturday, October 1
• A People’s History of LFP – Sunday, October 19
• Nature’s Repose by Artist Melissa Cole – Saturday, October 25
• Holiday Bazaar – October 24 – 25
• Halloween at the Commons – Friday, October 31
• Lake Forest Park Farmers Market
• Paw-se on Paws in the Park

25^th Birthday Weekend at the Commons 

Friday, Sept 26 – Sunday, Sept 28

Join for a weekend community birthday celebration Sept. 26-28 with cake, balloons, live music, dancing, kids’ activities, Birthday Bingo, a time capsule & more! 🎶✨
 
 Don’t miss performances by Nancy Stewart, Peter Ali, Swing Street & the Mark Dufresne Band, plus Sunday fun at the LFP Farmers Market & a mall-wide sidewalk sale.
 
Learn more at www.thirdplacecommons.org. 

Community Preparedness Fair

 Saturday, October 11

The Northshore Emergency Management Coalition (NEMCo) is hosting a FREE Emergency Preparedness Fair on Saturday, October 11, 2025, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at Third Place Commons (Lake Forest Park).
 
Disasters can strike without warning. In a major event, it could take up to two weeks for first responders to reach everyone, so a personal and family plan is essential. Come learn how to keep your household safe and self-sufficient.

Bring a neighbor and get ready before the next emergency!

Storytime @ The Museum

Saturday, October 11

Opening of the LFP Climate Hub 

Sunday, October 12 

You’re invited to the opening of the LFP Climate Hub! Come to Third Place Commons on Sunday, October 12, from 10 AM to 12 PM for breakfast treats, music, informational booths, children’s activities, and a ribbon cutting.

The Climate Hub is a new community resource designed to bring people together around climate change and our local environment. It features a vibrant mural created by local artists Debbie Tomassi and Staci Adman, painted with the help of more than 100 volunteers of all ages, including UW Bothell faculty and students.

Come celebrate this exciting new space and learn more about how climate change affects Lake Forest Park and our neighboring areas.

Nature’s Repose by Artist Melissa Cole  

Saturday, October 25

Holiday Bazaar

Friday, Oct 24 - Saturday, Oct 25

Find the perfect gifts at the Holiday Bazaar, featuring handcrafted art and crafts from more than 35 local makers. Browse jewelry, mugs, clothing, cutting boards, soaps, vinegars, photography, and much more. A local food truck will also be on-site so you can make a day of it!

The Senior Activity Center is also offering other fun and valuable events in October, including a Virtual Drive-Through Roundabout Simulator and Yoga for Seniors. For more information, visit their website or call 206-365-1536.

Paw-se on Paws in the Park

Paws in the Park is taking a little catnap until 2026. Don’t worry - we’ll be back, tails wagging, bigger and better than ever!

Join the Adopt-a-Drain Program in Lake Forest Park

September 22–26 is National Stormwater Awareness Week! To celebrate, Lake Forest Park is joining the Adopt-a-Drain program, a straightforward and impactful way to reduce stormwater pollution in our community.

Adopt-a-Drain invites residents to take responsibility for a nearby storm drain by regularly removing leaves, trash, and debris. This small commitment helps prevent flooding and keeps harmful pollutants out of our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.

Participating in Adopt-a-Drain is easy and accessible. Anyone can adopt a drain near their home, school, or workplace—no special skills or equipment are needed. Adopt-a-Drain also supports Lake Forest Park’s broader water protection goals through community-driven action, making it perfect for individuals, families, schools, businesses, and groups looking for a way to get involved in community stewardship.

Stay tuned! Information on how to Adopt-a-Drain in your neighborhood, which you will be able to name and track on an interactive map, will be shared in the coming weeks on the City’s website and social media accounts. 

Metro Flex Service Available in the Northshore Area

Lake Forest Park residents can take advantage of Metro Flex, King County Metro’s local, on-demand ride service. Riders can book trips on minivans that provide convenient and affordable transportation within the Northshore service area.

 Metro Flex Northshore operates Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Whether you’re going shopping, meeting friends for lunch, or heading to an appointment, Metro Flex can get you there.

Rides cost $3.00, the same as a Metro bus fare. Reduced fares are available for seniors, customers with disabilities, and customers with lower incomes. Youth 18 and under ride free.

To get started, download the Metro Flex app from your phone’s app store, visit metroflex.app.ridewithvia.com or call 206-258-7739.

Visit kingcounty.gov/metroflex for service maps, rider information, and details on how it works.