[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6333414,"mediaKeyId","2302822-2be512df2b9b6bc8d2ff5984cb47e715","parentId",2302822,"title","Newcastle reports: Lunar New Year draws estimated 1,000; library and arts groups outline programs","audioSeconds",719,"startMs",120080,"endMs",839260,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2302822-2be512df2b9b6bc8d2ff5984cb47e715&start=120&end=839","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2302822-2be512df2b9b6bc8d2ff5984cb47e715/thumbnail_120080.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6333414/Washington/Newcastle-reports-Lunar-New-Year-draws-estimated-1000-library-and-arts-groups-outline-programs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6333414-d0b67cf7e3f8d745b7d90afcfbcf07f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775280399&Signature=dGjRLvVIvw~lSAMSH6ujL3fb5tWYf9ah9F3Sd7OLkiqTfH94QD3e8CYm2HS5x3XKjjoPF1qfs4HfasBKIlD6GIm5opLyYSZqzQvG7n196TjE0LSYDt7SxOPV5EFWt9Y3bR3GMZZJe~xaAjm7YEt0EBJlNnmvVRAB9Y6TskBfHgHE79k0aZQA0nZPa7NQH5lC8zH3-HOvmQ8gJmkvTblLKnbEgIGpSsTxSf5c0EgNt-KPG3nEzKgEJP1l1eakjLlHOC1a~gXSjWp1EdraBzCbfqbO-wU2JrvS7tXJUEvqeK1EU3tD7B5~uop9SlyQF9mvSyORzInYM36wNU42p0CB-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Newcastle, WA","date","2025-02-13T15:49:01Z","article","Commissioners and community partners used the Feb. 12 meeting to highlight recent and upcoming cultural and recreational events. Amy, the city staff member who coordinates recreation, and Ed from the Newcastle Arts Council described a busy period of community programming and collaboration.

Amy summarized recent events and program logistics, noting the Lunar New Year celebration on Feb. 9 at Risen Middle School and upcoming spring registration for youth programs and summer events. Ed, speaking for the Newcastle Arts Council, estimated the Lunar New Year celebration was attended by “about an estimated 1,000 people,” thanked partner organizations (the Newcastle Arts Council, the Friends of the Newcastle Library and Newcastle Library), and named King County District 9 staff among grant supporters.

Library representative Connie highlighted weekly and monthly library programming, including an English-conversation drop-in every Friday from 10:30 a.m. to noon for adult learners. Commissioners and staff encouraged community members to check the Newcastle Library website and noted Friends of the Newcastle Library held a pop-up Asian-language book sale following the Lunar New Year event.

Arts Council and volunteer reports detailed upcoming events: an artist pet-portrait fundraiser at a local business to benefit Posada animal shelter; a youth art exhibition in March at the Newcastle Library featuring more than 30 student artists from area schools; an art fair planned for July 19 at the Commons; and continued support for public art such as utility-box murals and the Poetry Wall at Lake Boren Park.

Staff also said Earth Month volunteer events and trail volunteer opportunities are planned, including invasive-species logging using the iNaturalist app and continued promotion of the Adopt-a-Drain program. Commissioners were asked to send volunteer opportunities and organizational spotlights for the volunteer newsletter by Feb. 20.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-02-12 CAC","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners and community partners reported on recent and upcoming community events including a well-attended Lunar New Year celebration, ongoing library programming and arts council exhibitions at the Feb. 12 meeting.","taxTitle","City Council Meetings, Newcastle, King County, Washington","taxId",71821,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6333419,"Community Activities Commission renumbers positions, discusses possible name change and subcommittee work",742,4048535,4790901,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2302822-2be512df2b9b6bc8d2ff5984cb47e715&start=4048&end=4790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2302822-2be512df2b9b6bc8d2ff5984cb47e715/thumbnail_4048535.jpg","/articles/6333419/Washington/Community-Activities-Commission-renumbers-positions-discusses-possible-name-change-and-subcommittee-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6333419-7ab5e0c7acd25d8dc00978f0f2d8e484/orig.mp4?Expires=1775280399&Signature=LBCkxsYFJuwgfKto5sBnjE6krO0H995iaq4TkFBlNR7IXUuKoCl7yctDUa445WQgYn74Y6w7lIq921jId8KenEIf74jOnMWjzipLCrQ5RQfx9piFemUyx2EuoPlld69jF8yuo72XJO704-II0vdzL4eIsSnzH559ZVjNvM9cYnHcsOsop4RC8sohpFqNKe8Pdo5y4wZEOQ8LwrrjmPTCoJtT4~jcZqc1GkfTyCmK3x52Fw9Rki4vGig1UYr19KidwgEaSL8uGZlzSEe3N32F9YxfYGXeWrZ4ruK6pSiFJ1Q3yS6viZ6GeiOntvmOmzT-EzLdPbJ5-8wQ5j9eX0hxlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Community Activities Commission voted on Feb. 12 to renumber its commissioner positions from the current 3–9 scheme to positions 1–7, aligning terms and updating the commission roster shown in staff materials.

Chair Nathan Styx made the motion to renumber positions as presented and a commissioner seconded; the motion was approved by voice vote. The minutes and the meeting agenda were also approved by voice earlier in the session. The commission did not record a roll-call tally for those voice approvals in the public transcript.

Commissioners spent substantial time discussing whether to change the commission’s name to emphasize parks and trails. Several members and members of the public said a shorter, industry‑standard name such as “Parks and Recreation Commission” or “Parks Commission” would make the group’s purpose clearer to residents and prospective volunteers. Others cautioned the financial and staff costs of a name change (website updates, signage, badges) and noted the commission’s charter already defines its duties.

The commission agreed to collect more information before pursuing a name change: staff will ask city leadership (including the mayor and city manager) whether the council would support the change and will gather an estimate of the fiscal impact of renaming. Commissioners also noted that renaming would require a council action and an agenda item with a fiscal-impact statement.

On subcommittees, staff circulated a living SharePoint list and asked commissioners to sign up for committees that will support recurring events and projects. Staff requested that commissioners interested in fireworks and concerts identify themselves quickly so staff can narrow the list of potential bands and vendors; the commission also discussed an Earth Month volunteer program and asked commissioners to form a working group if they want activities beyond staff plans.

Chair Nathan Styx and several commissioners emphasized the commission’s intent to increase engagement with staff on master-plan implementation, grants and community outreach. Commissioners and staff asked for follow-up on cost-inclusive public surveys to prioritize master-plan elements at Lake Boren and on a staff estimate of the administrative cost to rename the commission.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda approval: Approved by voice vote; no recorded tally in the transcript.
- Minutes (Jan. 11) approval: Approved by voice vote; no recorded tally in the transcript.
- Motion to renumber commission positions (3–9 to 1–7): Moved by Chair Nathan Styx; seconded (not specified in the public transcript); approved by voice vote. Notes: staff will pass the renumbering to the city manager for administrative processing.","At the Feb. 12 meeting the Community Activities Commission approved renumbering its positions and discussed whether to restore “parks” to the commission name; commissioners also opened sign-ups for subcommittees and set priorities for Earth Month and summer events.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6333424,"Newcastle volunteers and staff push for Lake Boren promenade, boardwalk repairs and a public trail map",3131,975651,4107075,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2302822-2be512df2b9b6bc8d2ff5984cb47e715&start=975&end=4107","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2302822-2be512df2b9b6bc8d2ff5984cb47e715/thumbnail_975651.jpg","/articles/6333424/Washington/Newcastle-volunteers-and-staff-push-for-Lake-Boren-promenade-boardwalk-repairs-and-a-public-trail-map","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6333424-1e285aad0fea5f7244b5c3cf0b5a55fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775280399&Signature=LfpZ0uKcZ4um5t9w2wBQvJqQ8mzZveaViWXzXB4cYxET8bJypoyyWsH9M88GOkVfytQFjf65QyqqflqAwQJ1Pb02ETW1PlB-mSPWiYb9yN-aTuB9aIyCMBLh0E2LBJ3kjaoT9fKAJWlUaDV9CST3SSKDODnojqW59kA-GfKKoIMwLZvQWbDZ3bCyh0UU99ejNptRHRCYj4dVchJtcDlaUPQIMF6nrwMFswSyyt62F2tji4EhBi6e9ymZVhx6XmT-UAnHxMCxG~zn~8QlSl~oXviByzMhq~4UZO-FAipJT6yF8VROiAi5M~DYSwqqCx3o-Knbs5SyVjtHNnuA18mqDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gary Kampen, a Newcastle resident and representative of Newcastle Trails, told the Community Activities Commission on Feb. 12 that completing an East Shore promenade at Lake Boren should be the city’s top parks priority and urged the commission to press the City Council to seek grants and complete the waterfront work.

Kampen said the promenade would finish the Lake Boren Trail along the lakefront and would include benches, small pavilions, landscaping to reduce traffic noise, and interpretive kiosks. He estimated the promenade could be done as a relatively small project — “a $50,000 type of thing” — and argued the city should pursue state and county grants, including the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) funding programs, rather than waiting years for larger projects.

The proposal resonated with staff updates delivered by Brendan, the city’s parks and trails planner, who outlined current and near-term projects: a design kickoff for the Hazelwood Boardwalk with consultant KPFF and a plan to begin construction this summer when water levels allow; relocation of the Terrace Trailhead after a geotechnical report found the existing access hazardous; tennis court resurfacing and re‑striping at Lake Boren to create four pickleball courts; and use of grant funding (the Youth and Amateur Sports Grant, referenced in the meeting and later renamed to GASA) for smaller park improvements.

Kampen also asked the commission to adopt standards for trail-map kiosks and suggested a two-tier approach: low-cost, scout-buildable kiosks for neighborhood parks and larger commercial map kiosks for main parks. Several residents and commissioners raised the lack of a consistent, publicly available trail map; Paulina, a new resident and University of Washington graduate student, offered GIS skills to help produce maps, and one commission member said a potential volunteer map maker had been identified.

Commissioners and staff discussed grants and timelines. Kampen noted the city had applied previously for an RCO grant (for an amphitheater project) and had not received it; he recommended pursuing RCO and similar grants for waterfront access and trails. Brendan confirmed the Hazelwood Boardwalk design is underway, with construction targeted for summer, and described other projects in design or outreach phases, including the Newcastle Historical Park site work and a north parking/turnaround design for Lake Boren Park this year.

The discussion also touched on institutional capacity: Kampen recommended restoring an independent parks department or ensuring the parks planner position is continuously funded so the city retains institutional memory. Commissioners said they plan to engage more consistently with staff on master-plan implementation, community surveys to set priorities, and volunteer-supported smaller projects such as kiosks or community gardens.

Commissioners and staff identified next steps: (1) consider a public survey to reprioritize Lake Boren master-plan elements with cost information included; (2) finalize comprehensive-plan map updates so a usable trail map can be produced for kiosks and pamphlets; (3) continue design work on Hazelwood Boardwalk and pursue applicable grants for the promenade; and (4) recruit volunteers for kiosk and mapping work.

A number of speakers contributed ideas and offers of help: Gary Kampen (Newcastle Trails); Brendan (Parks and Trails Planner, City of Newcastle); Amy (City staff, recreation/veterans programming); Paulina (resident, UW graduate student, offered GIS support); Peggy (volunteer/parks advocate).","Residents and the city’s parks planner discussed completing Lake Boren’s East Shore promenade, the Hazelwood Boardwalk replacement, improved trail maps and kiosks, and grant opportunities during the Feb. 12 Community Activities Commission meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Newcastle reports: Lunar New Year draws estimated 1,000; library and arts groups outline programs

Community Activities Commission renumbers positions, discusses possible name change and subcommittee work

Newcastle volunteers and staff push for Lake Boren promenade, boardwalk repairs and a public trail map