The “new” Juanita Neighborhood Association invites neighbors from “old” and “new” Juanita, including the newly annexed areas, to its kickoff meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19 at the Juanita Community Church, 10007 N.E. 132nd St. in Kirkland.

Juanita residents are invited to come at 6:45 p.m. to enjoy refreshments before the meeting.

The agenda will feature presentations by board members of ways to improve the Juanita area. They want to hear what neighbors think before submitting the ideas to the City of Kirkland to obtain up to nearly $3,800 in grant funding, to be matched by volunteer hours.

“We’ve got new leadership and new ideas, and we’re excited to make our neighborhoods even better,” said Mary Pong Dunphy, president of the Juanita Neighborhood Association board of directors.

Attendees will vote on several proposals and contribute ideas for future funding. Project proposals include:

• Contributing toward Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) classes, which train residents in emergency preparedness and response.

• Hanging banners along highly traveled streets to build a sense of community.

• Replacing the roof on a picnic shelter and making other improvements at Edith Moulton Park.

• Developing historical signs for the newly renovated Juanita Beach Park.

• Hosting a community picnic at Juanita Beach Park.

The meeting also will include a presentation about the newly formed Kirkland Park Funding Exploratory Committee. The Kirkland City Council asked the committee to consider and make recommendations regarding funding to help meet the capital, maintenance, and operational needs of the city’s park, open space and recreation system. The committee will seek public input over the course of its work.

Three Juanita-area residents serve on the committee: Mark Dunphy, Kevin Hanefeld and Barbara Ramey.

Attendees will also hear an update about Juanita Beach Park.