The City of Lakewood is an All-America City finalist! The All-America City Award is a prestigious recognition of civic excellence. This year’s theme is “Strengthening Democracy Through Local Action and Innovation” and the City of Lakewood was selected as a finalist based on an application that highlights three key initiatives: the Sustainable Neighborhoods Network, the Lakewood Together community engagement portal, and Lakewood Speaks.
Watch Lakewood's 2024 All-America City presentation to hear from community members involved in the three nominated projects.
LakewoodTogether.org is an innovative digital engagement platform where community members can learn about and get involved in city projects. The platform embodies the city’s commitment to transparency, innovation, and community engagement, serving as a dynamic space to help shape the city's future. From sharing priorities for park improvements to proposing new sidewalk connections, every voice matters.
How it Works
Engage Anywhere, Anytime: Residents can participate in civic discussions from the comfort of their homes or on the go, thanks to a user-friendly digital interface.
Stay Informed: Get the latest updates on city projects, upcoming community events and essential dates.
Share Ideas: Lakewood Together provides various avenues for residents to share ideas and feedback on city projects including through surveys, mapping tools, questions, comments and more.
Why It Matters
- Community Engagement: Fosters a sense of unity and collaboration, enhancing local democracy and civic pride.
- Transparency: Provides open access to information about key city projects.
- Inclusivity: Ensures every resident has an opportunity to participate and contribute. Embraces diversity and inclusivity with multilingual support and accessibility features.
Learn more and get involved with City of Lakewood projects by visiting LakewoodTogether.org.
LakewoodSpeaks.org, the City of Lakewood’s public meeting platform, empowers community members to review agendas, leave written public comments and watch City Council meetings live or recorded. Developed by the City of Lakewood, this groundbreaking online platform is now a model for other cities. With an extraordinary 800 percent increase in meeting participation, Lakewood Speaks ensures that every voice counts in shaping local government decisions.
How it Works
User-Friendly Interface: Community members can navigate through meeting agendas, make comments on specific items, and access recordings with ease.
Easy Access: Lakewood Speaks ensures that all residents have a platform to be heard, even if they can't attend meetings in person.
Accountability: Lakewood Speaks supports accountability by tracking the number of council member who have reviewed a public comment.
Why It Matters
- Strengthening Democracy: Lakewood Speaks empowers residents to actively participate in local government.
- Increasing Transparency: By making meeting agendas and recordings readily accessible, Lakewood Speaks promotes transparency and accountability.
Learn more and see upcoming public meeting agendas at LakewoodSpeaks.org.
The Sustainable Neighborhoods Program empowers residents to come together to create vibrant, eco-friendly communities through grassroots initiatives.
Created by the City of Lakewood in 2012, the program has now grown into its own nonprofit, spreading to other cities across the U.S.
How It Works
Grassroots Ideas: Neighbors work together to host eco-friendly activities like community gardens, energy efficiency workshops, recycling events, and more.
City Support: The City of Lakewood helps bring these ideas to life by offering logistical support, marketing materials, and other assistance.
Accreditation: Neighborhoods earn credits for their efforts, leading to official designations as “Participating” or “Outstanding” Sustainable Neighborhoods.
Why It Matters
- Environmental Stewardship: Reduce pollution, conserve resources, and enhance green spaces.
- Community Building: Foster a sense of pride, unity, and collaboration among neighbors.
Learn more and see how you can get involved by visiting Lakewood.org/SustainableNeighborhoods.