South King News

City of Renton Contact

Laura Pettitt, Communications Director

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SAFETY FIRST: GENE COULON MEMORIAL BEACH PARK 

IMPROVEMENTS IN LINE FOR SUMMER RE-OPENING; 

4TH OF JULY FESTIVITIES CANCELLED FOR 2023

Annual fireworks show cancelled; Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park open on July 4 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

RENTON, WA  – Due to safety concerns around the construction zone for two ongoing improvement projects at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, the City of Renton will not host the annual Fourth of July activities this year, including the annual fireworks show. However, Renton residents can look forward to a stunning drone show during 2023 Renton River Days on Friday, July 21.

“We heard the feedback from Renton residents in our community survey that park improvements were a priority, and we launched two significant projects to upgrade Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park in October 2022,” said Erica Schmitz, Parks Planning and Natural Resources Director.

“Both the upgrade to the North Water Walk and North Trestle Bridge projects are on time and scheduled for completion this summer, but the construction site is not safe for producing and hosting a large crowd for our annual fireworks show,” remarked Schmitz. “These projects are vital to maintaining this much-loved park's health, longevity, and functionality, and we look forward to the re-opening this summer.”

The annual staging of the fireworks show occurs on the North Water Walk. Replacement of the North Trestle Bridge currently prohibits emergency vehicles from accessing the park’s north end. Current project timelines have the trestle bridge opening in early summer 2023, followed by the water walk in late summer 2023.

All other city parks, except Kennydale Beach Park, are open on their regular schedules. Kennydale will open at sunrise and close at 8 p.m.Please note the following information if planning a trip to Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park on July 4:

• The park will close early at 7 p.m. No admissions after closing.

• Boat moorage will not be accessible after 7 p.m. There will be no overnight moorage. The boat launch and trailer parking lot will remain open for 24 hours.

• Picnic shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with no reservations.

• Park restaurants Ivar's and Kidd Valley will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Dogs and bicycles are not permitted (service animals are allowed).

Renton River Days

The city will host an expanded festivities at Renton River Days from July 21-23. Among the activities are an Activity Zone, with free and fee-based activities for all ages, an indoor summer bazaar, open and adaptive recreations swim nights at Henry Moses Aquatic Center, food trucks, live entertainment, a drone show on Friday night, parade on Saturday morning, and Rubber Ducky Derby on Sunday afternoon.

Fireworks are prohibited

Please remember that the sale and discharge of fireworks are prohibited within Renton city limits and throughout King County. Renton voters passed the ban in 2005.

Renton Police Department units will patrol the city and enforce fireworks violations. Citations may be issued, and violators are subject to civil and criminal penalties.

The City of Renton

The City of Renton, Washington, with a population of 107,500 (2022), is located on the southeast shore of Lake Washington, just south of Seattle. Renton's strong economic base, diverse marketplace, and favorable business climate have attracted nationally recognized companies wishing to provide employees and their families with an outstanding quality of life. Renton is the home of Boeing, PACCAR, IKEA, Super Bowl Champion (2014) Seattle Seahawks, two-time (2016 & 2019) MLS champion and CONCACAF Champion (2022) Seattle Sounders FC (in 2024), and the eternal resting place of rock icon. Jimi Hendrix. More information can be found on our website, news releases, or Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor pages.  

Original source can be found here.