Library Technology Available For Checkout
The Ellensburg Public Library has some exciting new technology items to improve the patron experience, thanks to a recent American Rescue Plan Act grant.
Wireless printing is now available for patrons to print documents directly from their phones, laptops, or home computer via a link on the library's website. Prints can be picked up at the library.
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Other upgrades include three mobile hotspots and six new laptops, available for patron use. Three of the laptops are for day-use in the library. The other three laptops and the three mobile hotspots can be checked out for one week by patrons 18 years or older. Devices are available at the reference desk inside the Ellensburg Public Library. | |
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Take The Ellensburg Community Cultural Arts Plan Survey
The City of Ellensburg in partnership with CWU, the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce, the Ellensburg Downtown Association, Laughing Horse Arts Foundation and CenterFuse, is creating a Community Cultural Arts Plan to inspire future Cultural Arts Programming. Possible outcomes include expanding programming and funding for the arts and cultural programming, facilities expansion in the arts, family programming for the arts. What do you want to see?
Take the survey: To implement an action plan, we need your input about the value of the arts and culture in our community. This survey should take no more than 10 minutes and asks about your participation in the arts, what you would like to see, and what our future could look like. The survey will be open through March 31, 2022.
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Creative Arts Districts are geographically defined areas where a concentration of artistic, cultural, and economic activity takes place. ArtsWA provides a five-year state-certification to communities based on specific criteria.
The Creative District program provides a platform for artists and creatives to help develop their local economy. It fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and community values.
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About City Boards & Commissions | |
Learn About The Ellensburg Arts Commission | |
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The Ellensburg Arts Commission was established in 1980 for the purpose of advising the City Council and staff on advancing performing and/or visual arts within the City for the benefit of both the local public and to attract visitors and tourists.
The Arts Commission manages the City's permanent art collection, organizes the First Friday Art Walk, and awards grants annually to artists and arts organizations.
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Meetings are open to the public. Attend a meeting, in person at City Hall or virtually, from 4-5:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month.
Learn more
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Pearl Street Promenade — Update On Next Steps
The Ellensburg City Council, at its July 19, 2021 meeting, received a request from the Ellensburg Downtown Association (EDA), through the City's annual comprehensive plan docketing process, to change Pearl Street between 4th Avenue and 5th Avenue into a pedestrian only zone called the Pearl Street Promenade. The EDA believed that this change, along with the future development of Unity Park, will result in economic vitality throughout the downtown, create a destination zone, attract new businesses to the downtown, and enhance the downtown music, culture, and arts scene. The City Council supported studying the impacts of the Pearl Street closure and hired ECONorthwest to study the potential impacts, both positive and negative, of various pedestrianization options for Pearl Street between 4th and 5th Avenues. In addition, a survey was posted on BeHeardEburg to solicit community opinion about the proposal.
Council reviewed the consultant report and the survey results at a study session on February 7, 2022. At the meeting, no decision was made to proceed with a specific street closure duration (permanent, seasonal, temporary). Instead, next steps were outlined:
- Proceed with Unity Park Master Plan with consultant Walker Macy and continue a public discussion of how the park and streets work together.
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Unity Park (formerly Rotary Pavilion) design must integrate with Pearl Street and 4th Avenue. Consistent with past practice, Pearl Street (and 4th Avenue) closures have taken place for events in Unity Park—the future design should allow for this functionality.
- Provide more public input opportunities. Over the next few months, public input will continue during the park master planning process with stakeholder groups, a public survey, and an on-site event. A preliminary schedule of those opportunities will be published soon.
- The City Council reserved funding of $1.8 million to construct Unity Park, including any street integration modifications, has been allocated from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant.
- Review and continue implementation of strategies outlined in the 2019 Ellensburg Parking Plan to address ongoing concerns about Downtown parking. Public parking has been a long-standing concern of businesses and residents. Taking action to address this issue is important to the vitality to the Downtown.
- Work closely with the Ellensburg Downtown Association (EDA) to explore potential benefits and drawbacks of expanding events and activities. Work with residents and businesses to conduct trials to measure and evaluate impacts.
- The City Council will revisit the pedestrianization question when the Unity Park Master Plan final design is considered for adoption, estimated Summer/Fall 2022.
Learn more
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Did You Know?
Did you know that it’s a City Code requirement for you to pick up after your pet? To assist with this effort, the City has 21 mutt mitt dispensers located throughout city park facilities — we even have two at Ellensburg City Hall!
Did you know that free home COVID tests are available at the Ellensburg Public Library?
Did you know that it is illegal to park on or within 20 feet of a crosswalk (whether marked with paint or not)? RCW 46.61.570
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Save The Date
EthicsLab – The Good Life Community Discussions: Arts 3/1
March 1, 2022 at 6 p.m. at Hal Holmes Community Center
A new monthly program, that gives Ellensburg community members the opportunity to explore what it means to live well. Each meeting will feature several brief presentations before group discussion and dialogue. Brought to you by the CWU EthicsLab, the Ellensburg Public Library, and the Hal Holmes Community Center.
Youth Volleyball Early Registration Pricing Ends 3/4
Registration for the Coed Youth Volleyball League (3rd to 8th grade) is open. Sign up early to receive the $20 early registration discount. Early registration ends Friday March 4.
First Friday Art Walk 3/4
Join the Ellensburg Arts Commission, artists, and downtown venues for First Friday Art Walk from 5-7 p.m.
Alley Closure 3/7-3/11
The alley between University Way/7th Ave. & Nanum St./Kittitas St. will be closed between March 7-11. There will also be work happening on the road shoulders in the area around Nanum St., 7th Ave., and Kittitas St.
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