Our Renton

July 2026

Celebrating 40 Years of Community, Tradition, and Connection

Join us for the 40th anniversary of Renton River Days, July 24-26

FOR FOUR DECADES, Renton River Days has brought residents, families, businesses and visitors together to celebrate the spirit, character, and pride of Renton.

Built on local collaboration and a legacy of community celebration, this vibrant festival welcomes thousands each summer along the banks of the Cedar River.

This free festival unfolds across a connected campus including Cedar River Park, Liberty Park, and the Renton Community Center, all linked by the Houser Way corridor. Additional locations include Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, Talbot Hill Reservoir Park, and Legacy Square.

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

BECOME A SPONSOR. Support a community celebration while showing off your brand or company at the center of one of Renton’s largest annual gatherings. Go to rentonwa.gov/RiverDays or email JSpencer@rentonwa.gov.

VOLUNTEER! Be part of this special celebration and volunteer during the parade and to help keep our parks clean throughout the festival. Apply at rentonwa.gov/Volunteer.

PLAY A PART IN THE PARADE. Applications to be part of Saturday’s parade are open. Apply at rentonwa.gov/Parade.

WHAT TO EXPECT

FRIDAY EVENING

Teen Swim at Aquatic Center
Adaptive Recreation Swim Night at Aquatic Center
Live Music and Drone
Show at Coulon Park
NEW! River Nights at Legacy Square

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Parade on Saturday
Activity Zone
Pickleball Tournament
Chalk Art Competition
Live Music
NEW! River Nights at Legacy Square
Summer Bazaar
Foodie Fest
Craft Beer & Wine Garden
Community Information Booths
Rubber Ducky Derby

Stay tuned for the full schedule on our website rentonwa.gov/RiverDays

FREE Summer Meals

Enjoy recreation activities at three parks.

Everyone welcome, ages 1–18
No registration required
Served Monday–Friday (unless noted)
Meals must be eaten on-site
No meals served on July 2 & 3

For schedule, and locations, go to: rentonwa.gov/SummerMeals

What’s Going on Downtown Renton and Why?

The city has a long-term plan that guides all downtown development.

SINCE 2018, the vibrant new spaces we’ve seen come to life this past month have all been part of Renton’s Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan. The plan has one major goal: Bring more people into downtown and create vibrant spaces for the community to gather.

Last month we celebrated the grand opening of Legacy Square and Piazza Park. Final progress continues at the Renton Market (former Pavilion Events Center).

Our HEART Block is made up of Piazza Park, Renton Market, Legacy Square, and Renton parking garage.

Stay up-to-date on these projects and learn about the history and vision that went into planning these spaces, supported and guided by community insight!

rentonwa.gov/DowntownUpgrades

Talks on the Block with Mayor Pavone

MAYOR PAVONE and senior staff are coming to you! Invite your neighbors to join an informal get-together to discuss what’s happening in your neighborhood and city initiatives that need your input. You provide the space, we’ll bring everything else.

Openings are available for Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evenings 5:30–6:30 p.m. through September 2026. Reserve your time now at rentonwa.gov/TalksOnTheBlock.

Preparing for Future Growth in the Valley

THE VALLEY COMMUNITY PLANNING AREA is a regionally significant employment center, focused on aerospace, healthcare, logistics, and training facilities.

As the area transitions into a space beyond an employment hub, the city is exploring ways to expand the plan to include housing, retail, recreation and entertainment, healthcare, and more.

Our Community and Economic Development Department are in the beginning stages of engaging and educating the public about the Valley Subarea Plan. We want to ensure the plan reflects local priorities and creates a vibrant, connected, and sustainable Valley. The plan will help guide future zoning strategies, development regulations, and public and private investments to support anticipated growth.

Find city staff throughout summer at different community events and follow our website for updates at rentonwa.gov/ValleyPlan.

It’s Slurry Seal Time!

Extending pavement life, reducing long-term costs

THIS SUMMER, the Public Works Department will apply a slurry seal to select neighborhood streets.

This preventative maintenance helps extend pavement life, reduces long-term repair costs, and keeps our neighborhoods moving.

A slurry seal is a cost-effective treatment that adds a protective layer to the road. It’s made from liquid asphalt mixed with fine rock and sand. When applied, it helps seal the pavement from sunlight, water, and everyday wear, helping extend the road’s lifespan by five to ten years.

Treating neighborhood roads early, when they’re still in good condition, allows us to preserve more streets at a much lower cost, saving your taxpayer dollars.

Pedestrians and pets should keep off the slurry seal material until the street is reopened for traffic. This mix, if not cured, can be challenging to remove from clothing, shoes, or paws. For schedule information, locations, and questions, visit rentonwa.gov/SlurrySeal.

Highlands Water Main Upgrades

Investing today to protect tomorrow’s water

THE HIGHLANDS RESERVOIR provides about a third of our residents with great-tasting drinking water.

Keeping our water services reliable and high-quality for everyone in our community is our top priority. Starting in July 2026, water mains along NE 12th Street from Edmonds Ave NE to Queen Ave NE will be upgraded.

Upgrading the system today ensures:

Strong fire protection
Reliable service
High‑quality water
Continued safety for everyone who lives and works in the Highlands area Improvements

As part of the upgrade, we will:

Install new 12-inch and 16-inch water mains, 8 new fire hydrants, and the replacement of 35 water service lines
Install new storm drainage pipes and catch basin
Complete a full roadway paving restoration following construction
Construction work is expected to occur Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more details, please visit our website at rentonwa.gov/HighlandsReservoirWaterMain.

2026 Water Quality Report Now Available

LEARN HOW RENTON’S WATER SUPPLY compares to stringent water quality standards and what Renton is doing to protect it.

Providing high-quality and safe drinking water is one of Renton’s highest priorities. Water from the City of Renton and Seattle Public Utilities meets all regulatory standards, ensuring that your water is safe to drink.

Find the 2026 Water Quality Report at rentonwa.gov/WaterQuality.

Happy 125th Renton!

RENTON’S 125TH BIRTHDAY is more than a milestone, it’s a celebration of a community shaped by generations of Renton residents whose stories built this city.

Founded on September 6, 1901, Renton grew from Duwamish homelands at the meeting of the Black and Cedar rivers into a bustling hub for coal miners, loggers, and later workers at PACCAR and Boeing.

Each wave of newcomers and life-long residents have contributed to the city’s laws, neighborhoods, businesses, culture, and community.

As we mark 125 years, we want to honor the people who have shaped the Renton that we know and love today!

Here is how we are celebrating!

Highlighting our history:

Throughout the year of our birthday, follow the city’s social meeting channels for historical memories throughout the years.

Tell us what YOU love about Renton:

We’re inviting you to help celebrate Renton’s 125th anniversary. Stop by our video booth at events throughout the summer and tell us what you love about Renton or what it means to you.

Learn more at rentonwa.gov/125th.

Personal Safety

When walking alone, stay alert and avoid distractions. Walk in well-lit populated areas, keep your phone accessible, trust your instincts, and share your route or location with someone you trust.