Park Lane Survey: Kirkland Seeks Feedback On Summer Closure Plans

KIRKLAND, WA — Kirkland wants to hear from the community as city officials finalize plans to close off Park Lane to vehicles, for the third year running, this summer. The city launched "Summer Sundays" in 2019, closing the downtown street to traffic between 7 a.m. and 11:30 p.m., giving residents and visitors more space to gather, shop and dine during the warmer months.

Last summer, in the midst of the pandemic, the City Council instituted "Evenings on Park Lane," closing the street's west end every evening at 6 p.m. The closure allowed easier access to local businesses, more space for sidewalk cafes and other outdoor seating, providing a safe place to get out of the house.

This year, the city is considering several options for closures between May 1 and Oct. 1.

Here are the four options

• Close Park Lane to vehicles every evening at 6 p.m. and all day for special downtown events.
• Close Park Lane on weekday evenings and all day on weekends and holidays.
• Close Park Lane around the clock, between May and October, or adjust the timeframe to be shorter or expand to a permanent closure.
• Take no action, but keep parking spaces eligible for "parklet" applications.

Learn more about the Park Lane plans, and weigh in on the city's survey, on the Kirkland website. The city will also host a virtual community meeting on Monday, April 19. A City Council vote is scheduled for May 4.