Town Hall updates summer changes, events on base

New flower beds, farmer's market, splash parks and pool opening, more

By RangerKen on June 3, 2020

Services and programs across Joint Base Lewis-McChord updated the greater military community Wednesday in the age of COVID-19 and how that affects activities on base this summer.

Col. Skye Duncan, garrison commander hosted the event.  Here are the updates of greatest interest.

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• Street lighting around base schools are through a partnership with City Light and Power. Some schools do require increased lighting, which will be handled over a two year process.

• Forty airmen from McChord are returning from deployment today.

• The Spouses Club will host a graduation ceremony for 2020 seniors June 25 likely on Watkins Field.  Stand by.

• The D Street Gate will not re-open because it is the least secure gate, and needs to close for that reason. Access times at Integrity Gate also on North Fort have been increased.

• Stay away from bear traps on base - two bears have been recently caught and relocated, but bears are still on base.

• Sustainability is allowing 7-10 a.m. and 6-9pm for garden watering, and washing cars should be off base at a car wash or the Car Centers on Base.

• This summer, Clarkdale, Madigan, Beachwood South and Heartwood are getting flower beds and new irrigation, and new fencing will be installed in Olympic Grove, Carter Lake, Evergreen and Beachwood South.

• Splash Parks and the outdoor pool on McChord are expected to open June 22.

• The Family Life Center at 4 Chaplains is fully open for counseling appointments.  Chapels are not open, but outside services for 50 or less are open through units.  Bible studies for 10 or less are also available, also through units.

• Vacation Bible School will be August 10-14 in four locations with 13 different programs to make groups of 30 kids.  More information to come.

• BOSS will be cleaning up the DuPont-Steilacoom Road this month.

• The Commissary on JBLM Main will host a Farmer's Market June 13-16.

• The Stone Education Center is open, however check with each individual school for schedules.

• To see other recently announced openings, click HERE

• Changes announced last week are HERE

In addition to Wednesday’s Town Hall, base officials also released the following updates on gate changes starting June 8.

• DuPont Gate, Lewis Main: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays.
• Transmission Line Gate, Lewis Main: 5 a.m. – 1 p.m. weekdays
• RCF Gate, Lewis Main: reopens 5 to 8 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m.
• Integrity Gate, Lewis North: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends and holidays
• D Street Gate, Lewis North: remains closed.

Integrity Gate has four in-bound lanes. Manning will be increased during peak hours to efficiently get commuters off of the DuPont-Steilacoom Road and to ensure people pass through the gate quickly.

Military Police will be prepared to have traffic control points (TCPs) at key intersections on DuPont-Steilacoom Road and on Lewis North to increase traffic flow to and from Integrity Gate.

As more commuters return to JBLM, we will conduct a Lewis North traffic study to create better traffic flow by making adjustments to signs and lights.

JBLM has discussed the D Street Gate closure with Clover Park School District, and CPSD is prepared to make changes to their bus routes when schools reopen in the fall.

JBLM leaders understand the closure of D Street Gate inconveniences some commuters on and off-base. However, the closure is being done for security reasons.