Tumwater on Tap
Department Spotlight! Tumwater Police Department  

Tumwater Police help maintain a safe community for all residents through proactive enforcement of federal, state, and local law, community partnerships and a high standard of ethical conduct for officers and staff. The Police Department is comprised of several divisions: Patrol, Investigations, Administration, Traffic, and Training. They have 26 commissioned officers, including one K-9 team assigned to Patrol, one detective assigned as a School Resource Officer, and one detective assigned to the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force, and 5.5 non-commissioned administrative staff.
On January 1, 2016, our City grew to an estimated population of 22,300 and increased in area to 17 square miles. To continue providing public safety services to the community, five new police officers will join the Police Department over the next two years. In addition to the incoming officers, the Police Department welcomes a new K-9 officer this year that provides expert support in tracking missing persons, narcotics detection, and community event demonstrations and education.
Through outreach programs like the Tumwater University Police Citizen's Academy, community and school presentations, and diverse training, the Tumwater Police Department takes a proactive and preventative approach to public safety.
Become a Tumwater Police Volunteer
 
The Tumwater Police Department is starting a new volunteer program this spring. Volunteers will provide department office support, customer service at the front counter, vacation house checks, and more.  Applications are currently being accepted. More information is available on the City of Tumwater website.
 
Questions? Call City of Tumwater Volunteer Coordinator at (360) 252-5424. 
Deschutes Valley Park is open
 
The Deschutes Valley Park at 600 T Street SE in Tumwater was first envisioned when the City purchased the Tumwater Valley Golf Course in 1996. The City partnered with the LOTT Clean Water Alliance on construction of a reclaimed water tank and the park. As a result, Tumwater Valley Golf Course will now irrigate with reclaimed water, saving up to 600,000 gallons of fresh water on a hot summer day. That's a lot of water saved! 

The reclaimed water tank, adorned with a tile mosaic by local artist, Mike Cummins, sits partially recessed into the hill creating a scenic overlook of the golf course. The Deschutes Valley Park will create a future connection to the planned Deschutes Valley Trail, which would provide a transportation alternative within the City that connects neighborhoods and parks. Check out the neighborhood park for a striking view, interpretive area, and a small children's playground. 
 
Thank you to our project partner LOTT Clean Water Alliance, and to all the community members and elected officials who helped us celebrate the opening. Photo credit: Michele Burton, photographer.
Chip Seal street maintenance is messy but effective

Crews will be out performing chip seal pavement improvement work this summer. Streets in several Tumwater neighborhoods have been identified for this project. Chip seal is a coating of liquid asphalt and rock chips applied to the street surface that prevents water damage and extends the pavement life by seven to ten years. Chip seal is a messy process, but it's one of the best values to maintain and extend the life of the street surface. 

What can you expect during these street maintenance projects? 
  • Motorists may experience temporary traffic interruptions and will be asked to reduce their speed as loose rock chips may be on the street surface. 
  • Residents living near areas scheduled for chip seal work will receive door flyers with more information, and are reminded to not touch the chip seal and to keep children and pets away until it has dried. 
  • Keeping water away from the roadway by avoiding watering your lawn or washing your car before, during, and immediately after roadwork will help ensure the chip seal process prevents street degradation for years to come. 
Your cooperation is appreciated in helping us to maintain the streets in your neighborhood. These projects are funded through the voter approved Transportation Benefit District.

Have any questions about chip seal or street maintenance? Contact Public Works at (360) 754-4140 or click the button below.
Partnership Highlight: Linwood Barn GRuB Farm

The City acquired the Linwood barn about 25 years ago and in that time it was mostly utilized for storage. To find a use that better serves Tumwater, the City, the school district, and Garden-Raised Bounty (GRuB) have been developing a youth based agricultural program over the past two years. GRuB is a non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire positive personal and community change by bringing people together around food and agriculture. Students will grow food for the Tumwater School District summer nutrition program and learn about plants, food, agriculture, hunger, sustainability, and community development. 

Come help celebrate this new learning program. Attend the open house on Thursday, May 26, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Linwood Barn. Due to limited parking, the Tumwater School District is providing shuttle service from the District Office, 21 Linwood Avenue SW, to the barn that will run every 15 minutes from 3:45 to 6:15 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.

Have questions about the Linwood Barn GRuB Farm? Call the Parks and Recreation department at (360) 754-4160.
The Tumwater Farmer's Market is now open

The Tumwater Farmer's Market is now open on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. through September. The market is centrally located on the southwest corner of Capitol Boulevard and Israel Road, behind the City's maintenance and facilities building. The Tumwater Farmers Market encourages commerce, entertainment, and trade in the Tumwater Town Center. The market serves to educate the Tumwater residents about the benefits of preserving local agriculture and of making healthy food choices. Stop by and support the local farmers, artisans, and gourmet food vendors that fill the open air market.

The market is operated and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. For more information, click the button below to be directed to the Tumwater Farmer's Market website.
City of Tumwater  | (360) 754-5855 |  www.ci.tumwater.wa.us
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