This Week in Renton: Spring Cleaning & Conservation

Shred-A-Thon and Rx Drug Take Back

Join the Renton Police Department and bring your sensitive personal documents for secure on-site shredding and safely dispose of unused or expired prescription medications.  

Last year, over 400 households took advantage of this event, shredding 9.5 tons of documents and disposing of 302 pounds of prescription drugs.  

This year's shredding and Rx collection will take place April 26 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Renton Memorial Stadium, 405 Logan Ave. N.  

This is a drive-through event, so please always stay in your vehicle. To help this event run smoothly, please place all documents and prescription drugs in your trunk, hatchback, or truck bed. 

Items accepted include: 

Some items not accepted include: 

Learn more about what to expect and find a complete list of accepted and not accepted items at rentonwa.gov/shredathon. 

Looking to properly dispose of or recycle other items? Check out the Public Works Department's special events and services page, which includes upcoming recycling events. Look for more details in next week’s issue of This Week in Renton.

Renton Parks & Recreation's Urban Forestry team and the Public Works Department's Stormwater team will be caring for our environment on the morning of April 26 to celebrate Arbor Day. Volunteers will help plant trees at Highlands Park & Neighborhood Center, mark stormwater drains, and distribute educational materials in the Summerwind neighborhood. 

Several spots are still available for the storm drain marking project from 9 to 11 a.m. Sign up at rentonwa.gov/volunteer. 

Neighborhood BBQ 2025 series kicks-off this month

Renton Parks & Recreation's Neighborhood Program is excited to announce the Neighborhood BBQ 2025 Series.  

This series of neighborhood events aims to engage the community with experiences that best address the unique needs of Renton's increasingly diverse community and residents. 

The first Neighborhood BBQ will be Saturday, April 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Sunset Neighborhood at the Highlands Park & Neighborhood Center, 800 Edmonds Ave. NE. This event is free, open to all residents, and will include food, music, and fun. It will follow the city's Arbor Day volunteer events, giving volunteers the chance to fuel up after a morning of helping the environment.

Additional Neighborhood BBQ events will be held in May, June, and September.  

RSVP at rentonwa.gov/register using the keyword ‘bbq’. 

View photos from last year’s Community Celebration BBQ events at rentonwa.gov/flickr. 

During Monday’s city council meeting, Mayor Armondo Pavone recognized two proclamations. 

The first proclamation designated April 26 as Arbor Day / Earth Day.  

The City of Renton has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation since 2008, making Arbor Day and tree planting especially meaningful for our community. 

Urban Forestry & Natural Resources Manager Ian Gray and Inspecting Arborist Gabriella Golzarian, two members of the city's dedicated Urban Forestry team within the Parks & Recreation Department, accepted the proclamation.

The second proclamation designated April as Volunteer Month.  

From boards and commissions to volunteer events and participating in the Emergency Management CERT program, these are a few of the ways the many volunteers of our city contribute their time to making Renton thrive.

To accept the proclamation was Recreation Program Coordinator Teresa Nishi, along with two volunteers, Troy Jaeger (right of mayor) and Mark Ellen Kidd (left of mayor).  

Troy has volunteered for several years as an Adaptive Recreation cycling coach at events like Arbor Day / Earth Day, Day of Service, and other park projects.  

Mark Ellen has been a longtime weekly volunteer at the Don Persson Renton Senior Activity Center. She helps at the coffee bar, leads Bible study, assists with the lunch program and bingo, and supports the seasonal grocery cart program.  

Next week, city staff will recognize our many dedicated volunteers during the annual Volunteer Appreciation event on April 15 at the Don Persson Senior Activity Center. 

• Dragon’s Landing Street Fair: Enjoy live performances, artisan vendors, immersive activities, delicious food, and special deals from downtown businesses! 

• The unveiling of the Dragon’s Landing Window Decorating Contest winner: Businesses and artists have united on one (store)front! Find out which decoration takes home the grand prize.  

• Entertainment and activities: Enjoy a variety of captivating performances, interactive storytelling, and hands-on crafts. Some highlights include:   
  • The Scribe's Hollow – Local authors and storytellers sharing adventure tales. 
  • Adventurer's Guild Gaming Den – Learn how to play Dungeons & Dragons at 10 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Learn to play Magic: The Gathering at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Compete in the Magic: The Gathering tournament at 11 a.m. (10 a.m. registration).  
  • Costume Tournament – Show off your best fantasy look from 3 – 3:45 p.m. Sign up for free during the celebration at the contest booth between 1 – 2:30 p.m. 
  • The Dragon's Den – A sensory-friendly zone to relax and reset.  
  • Artist’s Alcove – Live demos, workshops, and hands-on activities. 

Gain insights and engage with the creative community 

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program provides $80 benefit card

• $2,413 monthly ($28,953 annual) income for one person  

• $3,261 monthly ($39,128 annual) income for two people  

• For larger households, add $848 for each additional person  

• Visit the Don Persson Renton Senior Activity Center on Thursdays, April 10, 17, and 24, from 9-11 a.m. or Fridays, April 11 and 25, from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.  

• Call Community Living Connections at 1-844-348-5464  

Help decide how Renton handles its future waste!

In other news this week