Our Renton

September 2025

Ready in Renton: Communicating during emergencies

Watching disasters unfold around the country can remind us that timely, accurate information can make all the difference in staying safe during an emergency.

How do you get that info?

Sign up for ALERT Renton at rentonwa.gov/alert to get urgent life safety messages sent to your phone or email.
Check the city webpage at rentonwa.gov/emergencyinfo for updated information and resources during an emergency.
Enable emergency notifications in your phone settings.
Plan ahead! Keep your cell phone at full battery and have a charger handy.

What if phone and internet services are down?

Know the locations of Neighborhood Information Centers in Renton. See the map at rentonwa.gov/alert.
Have a NOAA weather radio (with battery backup!) to receive instant alerts directly from the National Weather Service.

Spread the word and help the community be more informed and better prepared!

Get to know your neighbors. Check on them and share what you know.
Have an out-of-area contact to help communicate messages to your loved ones. Long distance phone networks may work better than local ones.
Share social media messages from official sources to avoid spreading misinformation.
Short text messages work better than phone calls in a disaster.

SPOTLIGHT: EMERGENCY VOLUNTEERS

Be a volunteer with Emergency Management and gain skills and knowledge on how best to keep the community safe during an emergency.

RENTON EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SERVICE (RECS): Volunteers support the city using amateur radio, monitoring social media, and posting messages at Neighborhood Information Centers when all other communications are down. RECS members are hosting an amateur radio licensing class on November 1 and 8. Learn more at rentonecs.net.
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT): Members learn how to assist others in emergencies. Sign up for the next course beginning October 2. This course is seven weeks with the final drill on Saturday, November 15. Learn more at rentonwa.gov/cert.

Use the keyword “emergency” to search for these classes.

rentonwa.gov/register

Beware of Scams

Police and officials will never demand money or gift cards by phone, text, or email. Scammers fake numbers and impersonate officers. To protect your money and yourself, hang up, block, and verify by calling the non-emergency line at 425-235-2121.

Help protect our natural areas!

Critical Areas Ordinance update coming soon

DID YOU KNOW places like the Cedar River, neighborhood wetlands, and small pockets of trees around Renton do a lot more than look pretty? These are just a few examples of critical areas in Renton, and here is why they matter:

The Cedar River and our local streams help keep our water clean and give salmon a place to spawn.
Wetlands and green spaces soak up rainwater to prevent flooding in homes and neighborhoods.
Trees and green spaces make Renton a greener, cooler place to be, and give us all somewhere to enjoy nature, take a walk, or watch wildlife.

What are Critical Areas

Wetlands
Streams
Lakes
Steep
Slopes
Fish and wildlife habitats
Flood areas
Wellhead Protection Areas

Washington’s Growth Management Act (GMA) requires Renton and other cities to review and update their Critical Areas Ordinance. The ordinance must align with the best available science and with the newest federal or state regulations. The changes included in the ordinance will be presented and discussed at a public hearing during a Renton City Council meeting in September. The ordinance needs to be adopted by the end of the year.

What questions do you have?

Learn a little more about critical areas and ask us questions.

rentonwa.gov/cao

Last Recycling Event of 2025! Styrofoam, Plastic Bags and Document Shredding

Saturday, September 13, 2025, 10am–2pm

Renton Technical College, Parking Lot #3 NE 6th Place & Monroe Ave. NE

Sustainability and Solid Waste staff will be accepting Styrofoam, plastic bags, and documents for shredding. During the collection, residents can bring:

Styrofoam peanuts and bubble wrap (Bagged packing peanuts accepted)
Clean white block Styrofoam (Look for #6 or EPS inside the recycle symbol)
Grocery bags, film, clean food bags, plastic amazon envelopes
Up to four boxes of documents for shredding (Banker size 12”x15”x10”) or equivalent in bags

For items that can not be donated, please see the flyer at rentonwa.gov/recycleevents

Costume Swap

Saturday, September 27, 2025, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

Renton Community Center, 1715 Maple Valley Hwy

The Costume Swap is a fantastic way to refresh your Halloween wardrobe by swapping gently used costumes and accessories for something new-to-you. We’re accepting donations of clean, gently worn costumes, hats, masks, and accessories of all sizes— from infants to adults—at the Renton Community Center, Renton Highlands Community Center, and Renton City Hall September 14–26. Please ensure items are in good condition (intentional tears are okay). Join us on September 27 for the swap event where you can pick up costumes and accessories for your family. You don’t have to donate to take a costume, but donations are encouraged to keep the swap well stocked. Don’t forget to bring a reusable bag!

For questions, please contact us at arts@rentonwa.gov

Want to see a coffee shop or corner store in your neighborhood?

We want to hear from you!

IMAGINE HAVING a coffee shop, small eatery, or even a neighborhood corner store in your community. The City of Renton is exploring ways to bring small-scale businesses like these into residential neighborhoods. We want to hear from you! Our Community & Economic Development Department is seeking input from residents.

Take the quick three-question survey and one-question poll to share your thoughts on the project webpage at rentonwa.gov/neighborhoodretail.

How neighborhoods might benefit!

Convenience & Accessibility: Provides easier access to goods, services, and other destinations within walking distance
Community Building: Creates spaces for gathering and social interaction
Economic Vitality: Supports local business growth and entrepreneurship
Health & Sustainability: Encourages all forms of mobility as an alternative to driving, helping to lower greenhouse gas emissions

Your feedback will help inform the staff recommendation presented to Planning Commission.

rentonwa.gov/neighborhoodretail

Access the fall Recreation Guide

Scan the QR code or go to rentonwa.gov/letsgo
Click the lower right corner to expand the image to full screen and turn pages
Register for all-ages fun! Click on the links in the guide or go to rentonwa.gov/register

Community Calendar

For info go to rentonwa.gov/calendar unless otherwise noted.

Renton Farmers Market

Tuesdays through September! New location: S 2nd & Williams Ave Find us just one block east this year. Same great farmers, food, and friendly faces! rentonfarmersmarket.com

Recycling Event

SEPT 13, Saturday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. RTC, Lot #3, NE 6th Pl & Monroe Ave Staff will be accepting Styrofoam, plastic bags, and documents for shredding. rentonwa.gov/recycleevents

Pop Up with a Cop

SEPT 23, Tuesday, 3–7 p.m. At the Farmers Market S 2nd & Williams Ave S Drop by, meet officers, enjoy activities for the kids, and build connections.

Neighborhood BBQ

SEPT 24, Wednesday, 3–6 p.m. Cascade Park, 16165 126th Ave SE. Join us for free food, face painting, lawn games, custom pet tag making and connecting with your community.

Senior Resource Fair

SEPT 26, Friday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Senior Activity Ctr, 211 Burnett Ave N. Get informed and inspired with a vibrant vendor fair and engaging presentations; and connect with services that support empowered aging.

Halloween Costume Swap

SEPT 27, Saturday, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Renton Community Center 1715 Maple Valley Hwy. Refresh your Halloween wardrobe with something new-to-you. See page two for info on donations accepted Sept 14-26.

Family Field Day

SEPT 27, Saturday, 1-3 p.m. Liberty Park, 1101 Bronson Way N. Celebrate the beginning of fall with a day of free family fun! Register ahead of time to get entered into giveaway drawings! rentonwa.gov/register #27255

Scout Night

OCT 7, Tuesday, 6-8 p.m. Fire Station 14, 1900 Lind Ave SE K-5th scouts AND non-scouts: enjoy an interactive evening with Renton Regional Fire, Renton Police, and others. Register at rentonrfa.com/scoutnight.

Truck-or-Treat

OCT 24, Friday, 5-7:30 p.m. Renton Community Center 1715 Maple Valley Hwy Trick-or-Treat from decorated trucks and festive stations filled with candy! Register at rentonwa.gov/register:

5-5:45pm: Sensory-Friendly Stroll #27686
6:15-7:30pm: Walk-Thru Spooktacular #27687