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Residents press Lakewood council to save Gary Oaks and to reconsider Dower sidewalks and Chambers Creek bridge
Summary
Dozens of residents urged the council to redesign planned sidewalks and halt projects that would remove mature Gary Oaks or cross Chambers Creek; speakers cited ecological, cultural and safety concerns and asked for alternative designs and more transparent processes.
Dozens of Lakewood residents used the public comment period on June 1 to press the City Council to avoid cutting mature Gary Oaks, to reconsider sidewalk designs at Daer/Dower Elementary, and to remove a proposed Chambers Creek (75th Street) bridge element from the city’s transportation program.
At the start of the public comment period, residents repeatedly asked the city to explore alternatives to removing street trees, such as meandering sidewalks, permeable pavers or routing sidewalks behind trees. Kate Reid, speaking about the Dower School proposal, urged an ordinance change so city right-of-way trees be covered by existing protections (referring to "tree ordinance 18A7300") and asked for independent hearings on proposed city removals.
Christina Manetti of the Gary Oak Coalition urged council to delay approval of TIP items that would affect Gary Oaks and said, "Once those oaks are cut down, of course, they cannot be replaced." She cited Department of Fish & Wildlife guidance and argued the city’s existing policies allow avoidable losses in public right-of-way.
Environmental and neighborhood impacts were raised repeatedly. Amanda Mackey described potential impacts to Chambers Creek and questioned the cited $16 million budget, saying it may be too low for a bridge and its long‑term maintenance. Zachary Kinnman and others emphasized the canopy value and safety benefits of mature oaks near a school walking route.
Council members acknowledged the concerns during later debate over the TIP. Several councilors said removal of the 75th Street Bridge from the TIP (which the council approved in its amended adoption) reflected both public testimony and the need for more project detail and environmental review before listing such a major element on the six‑year program. Council asked staff to provide clearer project pages and outreach when adding new TIP items so nearby residents receive direct notice.
Speakers also raised related topics — cement production emissions, library capital costs, police conduct complaints — during the public comment period; the council declined to act directly on those meeting comments but discussed follow-up communication and status updates for specific projects such as the Dower sidewalk design.
The council did not cancel the Dower project at this meeting; several council members asked for a status update and for staff to pursue measures (including outreach and potential easements with the Clover Park School District) that might allow designs that preserve more trees while addressing safety near the school.
