Councilmember reports students urged better sidewalks, transit and youth spaces

Councilmember Hubler told the Bonney Lake City Council that a recent Youth Forum of ninth-grade students surfaced consistent praise for the city s a close-knit, nature-oriented community but also identified several pressing needs. “Across all community discussion groups, participants consistently expressed appreciation for the close knit, safe, and nature oriented character of the community,” Hubler said.

Hubler said students repeatedly flagged transportation and pedestrian safety as barriers to jobs and activities, calling for more sidewalks, safer road crossings, bike lanes or e-bike access and improved lighting on trails. The students also recommended more youth recreation opportunities, including ball fields, gyms and pools, and suggested ways to fund and volunteer for improvements.

“Pedestrian infrastructure and safety was another one so the lack of sidewalks in many neighborhoods and around the city, unsafe walking conditions along major roads and a need for safer trail access and lighting,” Hubler said, summarizing participants' concerns.

Hubler said participants proposed concrete, community-led steps: petitions, fundraising for sidewalks and parks, and increased outreach to encourage youth participation in civic processes. The council did not take action on the forum report but discussed using the findings to inform future budgets and potential outreach efforts.

The council meeting transcript indicates the forum covered parks maintenance, transportation, youth recreation and community engagement; Hubler said students offered ideas that could be pursued through volunteer efforts and council-supported programs.

Next steps: Hubler and staff did not announce a formal implementation timetable during the meeting; the council may consider the forum' recommendations when it develops future capital and program budgets.