Lifeguards Return To Kirkland Beaches July 1

KIRKLAND, WA — As the weather heats up and more families get out to enjoy the sunshine, Kirkland's team of lifeguards are preparing a return to city beaches next month. Kirkland staffs lifeguards at three beaches from July through Labor Day: Juanita Beach Park, Waverly Beach Park and Houghton Beach Park.

This year, the city's official beach season will run from July 1 to Sept. 6, providing lifeguards at the three parks every day between noon and 6 p.m.

Here's where families can find the guarded swimming areas:

• Houghton Beach Park (5811 Lake Washington Blvd.)
  • The beach has a shallow swimming area for younger children and a deep water area where older visitors may also dive from the dock.
• Waverly Beach Park (633 Waverly Way)
  • This beach's swimming area is enclosed with a U-shaped dock, with both shallow and deep areas.
• Juanita Beach Park (9703 NE Juanita Drive)
  • This park also has a designated area for swimmers enclosed by a dock, along with a shallow beach and dock entry areas.

Lifeguards are stocked with free lifejackets to loan, and all children under 12 will need to pass an open water swim test before they can move beyond the shallow areas. Visitors can review a list of beach rules on the city's website, along with other options for aquatic activities throughout Kirkland.

The city also has three pop-up sprinkler parks planned on certain days through August, which will also be staffed with lifeguards:

• July 8 – Aug. 12
  • Thursdays at Lee Johnson Field (202 3rd St.)
  • 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• July 10- July 31
  • Saturdays at North Kirkland Community Center (12421 103 Ave NE)
  • 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Aug. 7 - Aug. 14
  • Saturdays at Everest Park - Field 1 (500 8 St. S)
  • 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.