Kirkland Launches “Mow, Edge, Blow Electric Equipment Pilot Program”

Kirkland Launches "Mow, Edge, Blow Electric Equipment Pilot Program"

Published on October 20, 2026

Media Contact:
Joy Johnston
Interim Communications Program Manager
[email protected]

The City of Kirkland has launched its one-year "Mow, Edge, Blow Electric Equipment Pilot Program" at Phyllis A. Needy Houghton Neighborhood Park. During the pilot, Parks crews will use electric equipment for mowing, edging, and blowing to help support a cleaner, quieter environment. The inaugural run of the City's new electric mower was on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026.

Through this pilot, the City will evaluate how electric tools perform during daily maintenance, including battery life, user feedback, and impacts on park visitors. Staff will continue to assess performance on a quarterly basis. If the pilot goes well, the program could be rolled out to additional parks across Kirkland.

"The City of Kirkland takes its commitment to sustainability seriously," said Mayor Kelli Curtis. "The 'Mow, Edge, Blow Electric Equipment Pilot Program' is part of the City's larger effort to transition operations toward greener technologies. We look forward to seeing how the equipment performs in real-world conditions as we explore future investments in sustainable maintenance tools."

To support the pilot and demonstrate quieter, cleaner maintenance practices, the City has invited community members to assist with manual leaf raking at Phyllis A. Needy Houghton Neighborhood Park on Tuesday afternoons this fall. The first volunteer session took place on Oct. 13, with four volunteers who completed the raking in 23 minutes. Feedback from the volunteers has been very positive, especially regarding the opportunity to help advance sustainable maintenance in neighborhood parks.

Community members can support this effort by choosing electric or manual tools for their own yard care. Even small shifts at home, like switching to electric leaf blowers, electric trimmers, and rakes, can add up toward cleaner air and quieter neighborhoods.

Learn more, stay up to date, and provide your feedback on the City's Electric Equipment Initiative at www.KirklandWA.gov/LeafBlowers.

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