Resident group outlines Climate Hub events and Solarize Kenmore partnership

During the public comment period March 24, a Lake Forest Park resident outlined upcoming Climate Hub events, community programs and a partnership with Solarize Kenmore to promote residential solar assessments.

Sarah Phillips, speaking as a resident and community organizer, said the city is partnering with Solarize Kenmore; she reported that when the program ran last year, “22 households in Lake Forest Park had an assessment done.” Phillips described two Solarize events planned for April 21 and in May, and said Kenmore vets contractors and conducts home assessments as part of the program.

Phillips also described Climate Hub programming and community events planned or being developed: a tentative Earth Day mural and community paint‑in developed with local artists and urban arts groups; an Arbor Day guided walk tied to the city’s garden tour and a clay bench model installation; a “Get Ready for Fire Season” Saturday workshop featuring a pulmonologist addressing smoke and health effects, local emergency‑management speakers and the fire department; an ongoing climate book club; and a planned Octavia Butler commemoration tied to the late author’s connection with Lake Forest Park.

Why it matters: These events aim to raise local awareness about climate and environmental resilience, connect residents with technical resources such as solar assessments, and expand community engagement around emergency preparedness and cultural programming.

Council response and next steps

Council members thanked Phillips for the update; no formal city action resulted from the public comment. Phillips said the Climate Hub is preparing newsletter material and encouraged city staff to coordinate on event promotion where appropriate.