Submitted by the Association of Washington Cities

Representatives from 138 cities and towns across Washington convened in Yakima in June for the Association of Washington Cities Annual Conference. During the conference, AWC honored five Washington cities with a Municipal Excellence Award, including Friday Harbor.

“Hard work and creative thinking were evident in the projects of this year’s Municipal Excellence Award winners,” said Don Britain, AWC President and Mayor of Kennewick. “These cities brought innovative solutions to address familiar city issues in their communities.”

Friday Harbor received the award for “small city success” for its Breezeway Pocket Park.

Growing concerns about pedestrian safety at a congested downtown intersection, coupled with increasing tourism in Friday Harbor, prompted the Breezeway Pocket Park idea. An average narrow sidewalk was transformed into an open, inviting space. The sidewalk area was expanded into the street, reducing crosswalk lengths and improving sight lines. The pocket park includes custom wood and stone seating, public art, landscaping, decorative concrete pavers, and an unobstructed view of the surrounding streetscape.

Other winners included Sequim for a neighborhood revitalization project, Kenmore for connecting and growing local businesses and Walla Walla for a homelessness project.

“Our Municipal Excellence Award winners are all truly deserving of recognition,” said Peter B. King, AWC chief executive officer. “These five communities have undertaken innovative projects that have improved quality of life in their communities.”

Founded in 1933, AWC is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation that represents Washington’s cities and towns before the state Legislature, the state executive branch, and with regulatory agencies. Membership is voluntary, yet AWC consistently maintains 100 percent participation from Washington’s 281 cities and towns.