New Juanita Neighborhood Association Sets First Meeting

The new Juanita Neighborhood Association, now incorporating recently annexed areas of Kirkland, has scheduled its kickoff meeting for Sept. 19 at .

All Juanita residents are invited to the meeting, starting at 6:45 p.m. with refreshments. On the agenda are presentations by association board members about ways to improve Juanita and a discussion of ideas for using about $3,800 in grants from the city, to be matched with volunteer work.

“We’ve got new leadership and new ideas, and we’re excited to make our neighborhoods even better,” Mary Pong Dunphy, president of the association board of directors, said in a press release.

Board members want to hear what neighbors think of several grant proposals and ideas for future funding.

Grant proposals include:

• Contributing toward Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) classes, which train residents in emergency preparedness and response.
• Hanging banners along highly traveled streets to build a sense of community.
• Replacing the roof on a picnic shelter and making other improvements at Edith Moulton Park.
• Developing historical signs for the newly renovated .
• Hosting a community picnic at Juanita Beach Park.

There will also be a presentation about a recently formed , which is examining ways to pay for the city’s parks and recreation programs in the future, including a possible bond levy. Three Juanita residents sit on the committee.

Finally, the meeting will get an update from the city about the on-going modernization work at Juanita Beach Park.

The Juanita Commuity Church is at 10007 Northeast 132nd Street.