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

November 2025

Police and Public Safety Levy on November Ballot

Lake Forest Park residents will see a temporary, six-year police and public safety levy on the November 2025 ballot. If approved, the measure would help sustain essential services residents have identified as top priorities.

Ballots for the General Election have been mailed to registered voters. To be counted, ballots must be postmarked by Election Day—Tuesday, November 4—or returned to an official ballot drop site.

The levy would fund police staffing, training, and safety equipment, 911 dispatch, jail services, prosecution and public defense, and mental health diversion programs.

State law limits the City to collecting no more than a 1% increase in property tax revenue each year, regardless of inflation or demand for services. Over the past four years, inflation alone has increased costs overall by 24%. In addition, costs for 911 dispatch, jail services, mental health crisis response, and prosecution have all risen—many of them outside the City’s control but necessary to maintain police and public safety service levels.

At the same time, the cost of providing these services continues to climb—workers’ compensation rates for law enforcement alone have risen 52% over the past three years and are projected to increase another 15% in 2026.

The proposed levy would appear on property tax bills beginning in 2026 at a rate of $0.24 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Exemptions are available for qualifying low-income seniors, disabled veterans, and residents with disabilities, as defined by state law.

The measure aims to establish a sustainable funding model for essential public safety services and uphold the City’s strong record of fiscal responsibility. For more information about the levy lid lift, visit cityoflfp.gov/lid-lift-info or contact City Administrator Phillip Hill at phill@cityoflfp.gov

Lake Forest Park is Now an 
Adopt-a-Drain Community!

What is Adopt-a-Drain?

Adopt-a-Drain is a free community program where residents commit to monitoring and cleaning a local storm drain to prevent pollution and flooding. Storm drains in Lake Forest Park often flow directly to creeks, Lake Washington, and eventually Puget Sound, acting as a conduit for trash and pollutants. 

What can I do?

Volunteers adopt a storm drain in their neighborhood and keep it clear of leaves, trash, and other debris to reduce the amount of pollution which enters our waterways and help prevent localized flooding. You can volunteer a small amount of your time for cleaner waterways and healthier communities.  

How do I get involved?

Sign up online! Individuals, community organizations, and businesses can participate. Visit adopt-a-drain.org to adopt a storm drain in your neighborhood. Keep your storm drain clear. Use a broom or rake to sweep leaves, trash, and other debris off the drain surface year-round. Track your impact. Enter the estimated total of debris you collect into your online account so we can track results. Lead by example! Let others know about your commitment. Tell them how they can help prevent water pollution.

PROJECT INFORMATION 

• Look What’s New at Horizon View Park!
• Neighborhood Community Meeting – Roundabout Project
• Blue Heron Park Restoration Kickoff
• Lyon Creek Fish Passage Project Update

Look What's New at Horizon View Park!

A new public art piece has been installed at the south end of the playfield. Visitors can sit and relax on Nature’s Repose. The sculpture includes a two-sided concrete bench in vibrant color, embellished with glass mosaics and bookended with a metal fern and bleeding hearts. Look carefully and you will also see a swallowtail butterfly and a bee.

Melissa Cole, the commissioned artist, was inspired by the Horizon View habitat. She came to the park and saw native flora and fauna that inspired the artwork. Cole is also committed to involving the community in public art. The base of the installation and the hearts around the back of the bench were created over two days at Third Place Commons. Local residents of all ages used recycled glass chips to make mosaics of salmon, mushroom, sea stars and more. These pieces were then installed by the artist.

The rain somehow held off during the dedication event while the crowd of approximately 30 heard details about the project and listened to the artist describe her process. Then Mayor Tom French thanked the Garden Tour Committee for its 21 years to date and officially and enthusiastically accepted the donation of Nature’s Repose into the City of Lake Forest Park’s Public Art Collection. By next week, a gravel path will be in place around the sculpture’s footing and the ground around it readied for re-seeding.

The Secret Gardens of Lake Forest Park Garden Tour and Plant Sale is a long-standing tradition in the City. Each year, garden sleuths discover new and redesigned gardens, and owners graciously open them to the public for the one-day tour. Revenue from ticket sales supports four local nonprofit presenting organizations, with half of the proceeds set aside for public art. Over its history, the tour has raised more than $150,000, all of which has been reinvested in art and community programs for the City of Lake Forest Park.

The next LFP Garden Tour will held on Saturday, June 20, 2026. 

Lyon Creek Fish Passage Project Update: 

Reopening Now Expected November 7

The Washington Department of Transportations (WSDOT) Lyon Creek fish passage project is largely complete. However, work continues to finalize earthwork, complete sewer and sidewalk connections, and finish driveway restoration and paving. Due to challenges with underground sewer work in sandy, silty soils, WSDOT now expects all lanes on SR 104/Ballinger Way NE to reopen by Friday, November 7, one week later than originally planned.

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 by WSDOT and will be constructed by WSDOT's contractor. Please direct all inquiries to 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 

• Halloween at the Commons – Friday, October 31
• Rainbow Bingo – Friday, November 14
• Trivia Night – Friday, November 21
• Holiday Art Market – Saturday, November 22
• Pajama Story Time – Wednesday, November 26

Halloween at the Commons 

Friday, October 31

Come to the Third Place Commons on Friday, Oct. 31 for mall-wide trick-or-treating (4 - 6 p.m.) followed by Somebuddy’s Silly Magic Show (6 - 6:45 p.m.) — a fun, family-friendly performance full of laughs, tricks, and spooky surprises! 

Free and open to all, sponsored by Friends of the Lake Forest Park Library.

Rainbow Bingo 

Friday, November 14

Trivia Night 

Friday, November 21

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

• Making Sense of Medicare in 2026
• License Your Pet with Regional Animal Services of King County
• North Helpline’s Gift Card Drive
• Save Your Bacon: Keep Grease Out of The Sink

Making Sense of Medicare in 2026

When: Tuesday, November 18 | 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center (18560 1st Ave. NE, Building G, Shoreline, WA 98155)

Medicare changes every year, but it doesn’t have to be confusing. Join licensed Medicare broker Carrie Hagel for a clear overview of what’s new in Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage, and prescription drug plans for 2026. Bring your questions and leave feeling confident about your options.

Call the Reception Desk at (206) 365-1536 to register.

License Your Pet with 

Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC)

A pet license is precious metal. Not only can it help reunite you with your cat or dog if they get lost, it also helps provide the resources that we need to care for animals in our region.

You can license your pet with Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) online at kingcounty.gov/LicenseMyPet or stop by City Hall.

Spread Holiday Cheer with North Helpline’s Gift Card Drive

Each holiday season, North Helpline provides gift cards to local families so parents can choose meaningful presents for their children. Gift cards provide families with the ability to purchase gifts they most want, offering both flexibility and dignity during the holidays. Each child of the families that utilize our services will receive a $25 gift card, gifted by our amazing community. 
 
Here's how you can get involved:
❄ Host a gift card drive! Email anya@northhelpline.org to get started
❄ Drop off physical gift cards at our Lake City Food Bank
❄ Donate HERE
 
North Helpline is collecting gift cards now through December 3rd, 2025. Let's bring joy to every child this season!