From pandemic-era problem-solving and community investment to long-running debates on growth, access, culture, and public safety, February headlines across the decades reflect an area shaped by participation and perseverance. Explore these stories and more in back issues of the Key Peninsula News (and its predecessor, the Key Peninsula Newsletter) dating to October 1975 at keypennews.org/eeditions/.
February 2021 – Five Years Ago
Grant Helps KP Community Services Upgrade Food Bank — Key Peninsula Community Services put a $100,000 Pierce County COVID-19 relief grant to work without interrupting a single day of service. The funding supported long-needed upgrades at the senior center and food bank south of Home, including expanded storage, improved traffic flow, and accessibility improvements inside the nearly 100-year-old building. As demand for food assistance surged during the pandemic, the investments helped ensure KPCS could continue serving residents efficiently and safely.
Unsafe Structures Removed at Lakebay Marina — Years of concern at Lakebay Marina came to a close when Pierce County crews removed unsafe structures following a Warrant of Abatement. Dilapidated cabins were demolished, and debris hauled away, with sheriff’s deputies on site during the cleanup. County officials said the property owner had failed to comply despite ample time, prompting enforcement action that resulted in a visible improvement to a waterfront site long familiar to neighbors and law enforcement.
No Hall Pass, No Problem — The Peninsula School District reminded the community that school wasn’t just for kids. Adult education classes offered GED prep, basic skills training, and English language learning at the Key Peninsula Middle School campus and the Community Hub, welcoming everyone from recent grads to retirees. Designed to be affordable and flexible, the courses served job seekers, career changers, and lifelong learners.
A Fresh Coat of Paint on Local History — The Key Peninsula Historical Society reopened the KP Museum with new displays that refresh familiar stories and bring lesser-known pieces of local history into the spotlight. Exhibits highlight the Delano Hotel and Resort, along with rotating collections drawn from the society’s growing archives. New display cases make room for artifacts gathered over decades, many donated by longtime residents with deep roots in the community. The reopening reflected a renewed effort to make local history more accessible.
New Park, Big Questions — The KP community began grappling with the future of a massive new park after the state Legislature approved the transfer of 360 acres of state land to the newly formed Key Peninsula Metropolitan Park District. The addition would more than double the district’s park holdings, but commissioners warned that turning the property into a usable park would require years of planning, extensive public input, and millions of dollars in funding. With an annual budget of about $150,000 and a pledge of no new taxes, leaders acknowledged hard questions lay ahead about infrastructure, grants, and how the community ultimately wanted the park to be used.
Planning Board Takes On Peninsula Transportation Woes — The KP Community Planning Board began a deep dive into transportation challenges, drawing a standing-room-only crowd to KP Middle School for the first of a series of public meetings. Pierce County planners outlined more than 60 motorized and non-motorized project ideas, while cautioning that a $650 million funding shortfall and a 20-year backlog would limit how much could realistically be built. Board members emphasized that solutions used elsewhere might not fit the peninsula, calling for safer pedestrian access in Key Center, improved lighting and crossings along State Route 302, and a transportation plan tailored to KP’s rural character.
Winter Visuals Brings Art to the Civic Center — The KP Civic Center hosted its annual Winter Visuals event, showcasing the work of more than a dozen local artists and artisans. Organized by the Gig Harbor–Key Peninsula Cultural Arts Commission, the one-day exhibition featured demonstrations and hands-on activities alongside displays of ceramics, stained glass, printmaking, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. Families were invited to watch artists at work and try creative projects themselves, turning the KPCC into a temporary hub for community art and winter creativity.
KPFD Seeks Public Input on New Station — The Key Peninsula Fire Department scheduled a public hearing to gather community feedback on the proposed location of a new fire station in the Wauna area. Residents were invited to testify as leaders weighed placement and access considerations. The hearing underscored the department’s effort to involve the public in decisions tied to emergency response coverage and future growth.
Home Turns 100 — The community of Home marked its 100th anniversary, reflecting on its roots as a late-19th-century settlement along Von Geldern Cove. Established in 1896 by a small group of settlers, Home grew into a tight-knit community shaped by shared values and a spirit of independence. While many original structures were lost to a 1921 fire, residents continued to be drawn to Home’s quiet setting, history, and strong sense of place along the KP shoreline.
Skate Night Faces Uncertain Future — Attendance concerns put the KPCC’s skating program under review as board members questioned whether older students were still interested in weekly skate nights. While younger skaters continued to fill early sessions, participation among middle- and high-school students had dipped, prompting discussions about alternative programming. Leaders stressed that skating was meant for all ages and urged the community to share ideas on how to keep the long-running program active and relevant.
Bringing Blockbusters to Key Center — Movie Magic promoted new video rentals ranging from “Rambo” and “Teen Wolf” to “Weird Science,” with more titles on the way, including “European Vacation” and “Return of the Jedi.”
Would You Remember These Phone Numbers? — Before 911, emergency communications had a more local feel. A hand-written KPFD ad showed residents relied on a patchwork of local phone numbers to reach emergency services. Calling 884-2161 went right to the fire station, while calling 857-2311 routed callers to an operator who contacted appropriate responders on the caller’s behalf. Knowing what number to dial and when was an important part of rural living.
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