[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6356338,"mediaKeyId","2216653-509782996b478b99d04cfd85381a579c","parentId",2216653,"title","Board presses parks staff on tree permits, urban-forestry staffing and college planting projects","audioSeconds",154,"startMs",2742000,"endMs",2896000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2216653-509782996b478b99d04cfd85381a579c&start=2742&end=2896","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2216653-509782996b478b99d04cfd85381a579c/thumbnail_2742000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6356338/Lakewood/Pierce-County/Washington/Board-presses-parks-staff-on-tree-permits-urban-forestry-staffing-and-college-planting-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6356338-33ed1c7a931f09b5d48784c854378916/orig.mp4?Expires=1776520408&Signature=ih0NJqDLtOxqJHlZQl7CgVzyFVf9PSj0Odqf3QpsHd6YSkpjPsPQQ0fz9QF5NYGDpfJ8N8upF5immDWaQxUEDwKfc6DQabaALKRti3G5WFxQgoir2iL~zjNGCgrnku1rPTYpx5Vw2Sw4Zmjs5dNWPlLwcsh3U2d5L568WARPL~XfYOhDXm9BQEeGGTFhfyFqKobHlxkvImYIb5R2sZLDAOAhES9KTP3BNYcgX6Va~aN7kiuajecfv1Afq4DakaaAuQbA2Q6qT~9DkGgqQNlJdX-MAk3r4U-U2Hhehn7iUBxy8Z25o-GlbTqR-aG8xTKMy0FmTXTODp22bVZOPeufRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lakewood City, WA - Board, Committee, and Commission Meetings","date","2025-01-29T14:33:04Z","article","Board members raised concerns about tree maintenance, volunteer planting, and a flagged planting area near Pierce College; staff said permits remain required for tree removals and the city is developing its urban-forestry work program.

Why it matters: Urban-forest canopy and street-tree maintenance affect air-quality goals, shading, recreation and infrastructure. Board members urged clearer guidance on who may prune or remove trees and how volunteer groups will be managed.

At the meeting, a board member noted social-media questions asking whether residents needed permits to remove trees and said some newly planted street trees now need pruning. \"You still have to get a permit, and there's enforcement if you take it out without a permit and you get caught,\" Nikki, a parks staff member, told the board, describing current permit and enforcement practices.

Staff said the city has completed a canopy survey and is developing an implementation work program, but pointed to capacity limits. The parks department currently manages street and landscape maintenance but has a frozen position, staff said, which limits internal maintenance capacity. Staff described how responsibilities split across departments (planning/permitting, public works engineering, parks maintenance) and said the city is considering contracting for specialized urban-forestry work while it defines a long-term level of service.

The board also discussed recent plantings near Pierce College. Staff said the parcels near the hill were college property and that Pierce College instructors and students have partnered with the city on plantings in past years. A board member asked staff to check with Jay about who planted the flagged trees and to follow up with the college; staff agreed to do so and to report back.

Ending: Staff said enforcement of tree-permit rules continues, the urban-forestry work program remains under development, and staff will follow up with Pierce College and provide planting lists and contact names to board members.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Parks and Recreation Advisory Board of January 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Advisory board members pressed staff for clarity about tree-permit rules, urban-forestry staffing, and recent plantings near Pierce College; staff said permits and enforcement remain in effect and the city is still forming an urban-forestry work program.","taxTitle","Lakewood, Pierce County, Washington","taxId",3978,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6356343,"Lakewood Parks advisory board re-elects chair Jason and vice chair Vito; approves November minutes as amended",117,119000,236000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2216653-509782996b478b99d04cfd85381a579c&start=119&end=236","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2216653-509782996b478b99d04cfd85381a579c/thumbnail_119000.jpg","/articles/6356343/Lakewood/Pierce-County/Washington/Lakewood-Parks-advisory-board-re-elects-chair-Jason-and-vice-chair-Vito-approves-November-minutes-as-amended","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6356343-288bdf443927273fb099a436c55569c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776520408&Signature=JkfET7~Zsu2Qr~aKV2ShKoXKa00DkTVoQ7aPE1I-Bzs5PCZiDBbRahcFh~Qr~joDZGPOif21vDdQ0AuPTkr0JclANHVzYpHsvCb3fYx3y73HKhruKOuEFmbMGL~f~4iZII5eMLFSNdb28QfoG-UQ2AJzM9EmwcVgTufNk8isSfXD~EPeoLILAA3sUzxz6jD0NerfFeZYYUmV8G1MBBAhozDEGyTk6SY9GJic1M8syEHr78SGg3VKoTHH8VqoLBQQNJtiwxlrF24UTOtiftUUNqiIO~a7gDxUG8yIRowA8sG1IfkV04eG9eKEfGQ-sAZ4O8U-DWIpNKx~740C5bHiog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lakewood Parks and Recreation Advisory Board re-elected its current officers at the meeting: Jason as chair and Vito as vice chair. The nomination and motion to reappoint the two incumbents was made by Alan Bilinski and seconded by Shelly; board members voted \"aye\" and the motion carried.

The board also approved the meeting minutes from November as amended. A board member moved to approve the minutes with edits to clarify an item on the invasive plant \"holly\" listing; the board approved the amended minutes by voice vote.

Why it matters: Annual officer elections and accurate minutes are routine governance items required by the board’s governing rules. Board members said annual elections typically occur at each commission’s first meeting of the year or at their January meeting, consistent with the body’s bylaws and the council-approved rules staff referenced.

Meeting record: During the roll call and officer-nomination portion of the meeting, Alan Bilinski clearly stated the nomination, and Shelly verbally seconded the motion. The transcript records the board chair calling for any opposed; none were voiced and the chair declared the officers re-elected. The minutes motion was moved and carried by voice vote.

Ending: The board will continue its work with the elected officers and reconvened for scheduled items later in the meeting.","The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board re-elected its current officers—Jason as chair and Vito as vice chair—by unanimous voice vote and approved November meeting minutes as amended.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6356347,"Lakewood Parks advisory board outlines 2025 work plan, schedules March site visit and seasonal events",291,265000,556000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2216653-509782996b478b99d04cfd85381a579c&start=265&end=556","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2216653-509782996b478b99d04cfd85381a579c/thumbnail_265000.jpg","/articles/6356347/Lakewood/Pierce-County/Washington/Lakewood-Parks-advisory-board-outlines-2025-work-plan-schedules-March-site-visit-and-seasonal-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6356347-4c878d6676c3b378d03b9193f2045a96/orig.mp4?Expires=1776520408&Signature=QU~rDFwRgcyZji862CMgK5dAYoBF0gX~wsn5xk4Cmk64WqonjGFYzBbH0yma3AQvqgwxfWemlvZHrultKm0m5vbVq7BlUxc1TPYdSchE5ka2QXks8FNj847yRAUMMIiheXjD8Z6lW1puxfWXO0gEygMiCseT23STxoSJmCY4331jCw5yYpwtm2G5zLjg-8XxSr57YmpxI-1H8HgHExD5chrhrvkFoy3Pq1xSLXT0NxpQl40oyTR2FLIFCIpb83VppV4SRm60qYKGlI5raRoHMWK~SFZUesKcVeU6~g1vqBqzHFwXBA1tbwMwinHUgjuAXun~Qp29O7RFGXLHVF0Kfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lakewood Parks and Recreation Advisory Board reviewed the council-approved 2025 work plan, scheduled a special Saturday site visit for March 8 at the West Lake Avenue street end and discussed this year’s lineup of community events, staff member Nikki said.

The work plan frames the board’s priorities for 2025 around a new 20-year legacy plan and an associated six-year capital improvement program (CIP), Nikki, a parks staff member for the City of Lakewood, told the board. She said the board will lead public engagement on the legacy plan beginning in February and will use tools such as newsletters, surveys and site visits to gather community input.

Why it matters: The legacy plan will guide park investments and public outreach across Lakewood for the next two decades and contains a six-year capital schedule the city plans to use for permitting and design. The board’s early public engagement and an on-site meeting at West Lake Avenue aim to accelerate design and permitting so construction can begin sooner on pilot projects.

Board and staff said the March 8 meeting will be a field session at the West Lake Avenue street end (the site the board previously recommended to council). Nikki said the board is tentatively planning the outreach event for roughly 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with on-site materials, a schematic design presentation and a rain-or-shine setup so residents can see and comment on options. \"We're actually gonna do something different tonight that's in our work plan, but, we're just moving it up,\" Nikki said during the meeting packet review.

The board also reviewed a calendar of major events the parks office manages or supports this year, including:
- Farmers market at Fort Steilacoom Park: Tuesdays beginning June 3, 2–7 p.m., through late August.
- Summer concerts: weekly evenings, June through mid-August, funded in part by an LTAC (lodging tax) grant.
- Summerfest: Saturday, July 19, at Fort Steilacoom Park.
- Parks Appreciation Day: Saturday, April 26.
- Ray Evans Memorial Fishing event: planned for the week before Memorial Day at Harry Todd or American Lake (staff said location may rotate with construction timing); the program has historically provided poles and instruction for children.
- Fiesta Veil Familia: Saturday, Sept. 6, at Fort Steilacoom Park (Hispanic/Latinx cultural celebration that includes art, food and an ofrenda).
- Truck and Tractor Day: Saturday, Oct. 11, at Fort Steilacoom Park, with hay rides and a free pumpkin patch.
- Parade of Lights and related fall events, plus a passport program that encourages youth to try multiple recreation activities.

Staff noted program logistics and funding specifics: the summer concert series and some entertainment are supported by a lodging-tax (LTAC) grant; the farmers market supports healthy-bucks and WIC tokens, and sponsorships help cover entertainment and accessibility efforts. Nikki said the city will continue to track vendor availability and vendor-season length as vendor participation typically declines in September.

Project updates tied to the work plan included American Lake Park. Staff told the board the American Lake project remains on schedule and that the park is expected to be substantially complete and open by mid-June, timed to serve summer use; staff said permitting and construction sequencing remain the primary schedule risks. A board member asked for a clearer \"look-ahead\" on milestones for nearby neighborhoods; staff said more-detailed, project-specific updates can be distributed to neighborhood groups and posted to project pages when milestones change.

Public outreach and volunteer coordination were recurring topics. The board discussed the adopt-a programs (adopt-a-street, adopt-a-spot and one-time volunteer projects) and cautioned that opening a street end for volunteer stewardship requires staff oversight because newly cleared areas may create erosion or safety risks and could trigger additional maintenance responsibilities. \"Once you've opened something up like that, now we have to empty the garbage. We have to monitor for safety. We have to assess it for risk management,\" a board member said.

Staff also raised operational notes: an upcoming community engagement schedule, coordination for tent and on-site signage, advance mailings and on-site posting within the usual 400–800 foot notification radius, and contingency plans for rain.

Ending: The board will reconvene for its regular meeting in late February and will hold the special Saturday site visit on March 8 to gather resident input on the West Lake Avenue street end; staff said materials and a final time will be sent to board members in advance.","The Lakewood Parks and Recreation Advisory Board reviewed the city council–approved 2025 work plan, set a March 8 site visit to a West Lake Avenue street end, and discussed a calendar of special events and outreach tied to the board’s legacy plan and park projects, including an American Lake Park update.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board presses parks staff on tree permits, urban-forestry staffing and college planting projects

Lakewood Parks advisory board re-elects chair Jason and vice chair Vito; approves November minutes as amended

Lakewood Parks advisory board outlines 2025 work plan, schedules March site visit and seasonal events