Your Home Town Bulletin • November 2025
NW Landing office closed November 11, 27-28
The Northwest Landing office will be closed Tuesday, November 11, for Veterans Day. The office will reopen Wednesday, November 12, at 9 a.m. The office will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 27 and 28, for the Thanksgiving holiday and will reopen Monday, December 1, at 9 a.m.
Tour of Halloween Homes Winners
Three spooky homes in Northwest Landing won awards for best display, most scary, and most creative. All really need to be visited to truly appreciate the creativity of these homeowners. The rules for the contest included no decorating before October 1 (ROA rule), no people or animals used in the display, and no political messages or images. Congratulations to the winners and thank you for sharing your spirited creations! There were several other homes entered in the contest. Addresses are on the Announcements webpage if you would like to see them in person.
Planning a new roof, fence, walkway or shed? You will need a property improvement request
We have received reports about homeowners making improvements without getting approval from our Property Improvement Committee (PIC). Virtually anything you are planning to the exterior of your home must go through PIC review – including installing new landscaping. Many projects also require a city permit. Removing a tree? Approval must be received by both the ROA and the City of DuPont. If your project doesn’t align with Northwest Landing standards (found in the Resident Handbook), you may have to remove or rework the project. We live directly above Puget Sound and several salmon-bearing streams. Any impervious surface like concrete contributes to stormwater runoff, therefore there are restrictions against changing out more than a certain percentage of your yard to an impervious surface.
Saying goodbye to one of our heritage trees
We have assessments from an arborist that one of the old Douglas fir trees in an ROA green space next to Center Drive is in poor condition and will need to be cut down before it lands on a public sidewalk and roadway. This tree is likely more than 150 years old, which makes many of us sad and question whether there might be another solution. A few years ago, we faced a similar issue with another tree in an ROA green space. That one was a Garry oak, the only type of oak tree native to Washington state. We replaced it with a younger Garry oak and one of the talented woodworkers in DuPont carved a bowl out of some of the wood which is on display in DuPont City Hall. This time, we have asked the DuPont Tree Advisory Commission to work with us on some ways that our community can celebrate this tree and others like it. We don’t yet have a date for cutting down the tree. If you have ideas about what we might include in planning an event, please email and we will forward your suggestions to the City of DuPont.
Ask an Arborist
Do you have questions about caring for trees? The DuPont Tree Advisory Commission will host “Ask an Arborist” on Monday, November 10, beginning at 5 p.m. The commission meets at DuPont City Hall, 1700 Civic Drive. Professional arborist James Pasley is a member of the commission and is ready to answer your questions.
Public hearing for City of DuPont Comprehensive Plan
The DuPont Planning Commission has been working with city staff to revise the DuPont Comprehensive Plan. A public hearing is planned for Monday, November 10, at 6:30 p.m. at DuPont City Hall, 1700 Civic Drive. Updates to the plan can be read online here.
Who to call – city or ROA
If something is on a city street, grass strip between sidewalk and street, park, or trail, the City of DuPont has jurisdiction.
That includes lost dogs, dangerous or sick wild animals, abandoned vehicles, graffiti, and fallen trees. Go to Report a Problem on the city’s website.
If something is in an alleyway or a greenspace/pocket park (most have red benches), Northwest Landing ROA has jurisdiction. Call 253-964-1289 or email .
The Northwest Landing website hosts a Who You Gonna Call webpage which includes common topics our office gets questions about.
Boy Scouts Food Drive – November 15
Place donations on your porch by 9 a.m. on November 15 or take to the parking lot behind Farrelli’s Pizza between 9 and 11 a.m. Questions? Email .
Northwest Landing Events
Budget Ratification Homeowners Meeting – 6 p.m. • Wednesday • November 19 • via Zoom. Reservations required by November 16. Call 253-964-1289 or email to reserve.
Board of Directors – 5:30 p.m. • Wednesday • January 14, 2026 – via Zoom– reservations required by January 12. Call 253-964-1289 or email to reserve. On Zoom. Please contact staff at if you have questions or concerns a violation notice or want to report a problem with a Northwest Landing property.
Property Improvement Committee – meetings are generally held at 5:30 p.m. – 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. Except for underground irrigation systems, this committee must review all exterior modifications, including painting, roofing, adding central air conditioning, heat pump or solar panels, fences, sheds, patios, patio covers, decks, landscape renovations, adding or removing trees. Some projects may also require a city permit. Underground irrigation systems require a city permit. Property Improvement forms can be downloaded from the homeowner’s portal on the website. Go to Member Logins. After you login, click on Documents, then open the folder Property Improvement Committee Forms. Call 253-964-1289 if you need help finding PIC forms.
Popular October events
Schilter Family Farm drew many Northwest Landing families to the colorful Nisqually delta venue. Families shared pizza, pumpkin pie (of course), a blossom bar, pumpkin picking, and visits with farm animals. A Halloween bingo night drew costumed community members.
Dear ROA,
I just got a mailing from the ROA about budget ratification and there’s something about “Palisade Village cottages that have a separate budget. Where are these cottages and what is the fee for?
– Curious in Palisade Village
Dear Curious,
The only homes in Northwest Landing that have a landscape maintenance assessment are the Palisade Cottages. Early planning for Northwest Landing, included a group of 67 homes in Palisade Village where landscaping and underground sprinkler systems are maintained for front yards and alley gardens by the ROA. Owners of these properties pay an additional fee for this service. Many of the trees that were planted 30 years ago were causing damage to homes and irrigation systems. The association hired an arborist who advised which trees should be removed and replaced with trees that have less invasive root systems. Cottage homeowners had an additional assessment for a tree removal and replacement project and may have an additional assessment if further landscape
The season is called “fall” because our deciduous trees and shrubs lose their leaves, sometimes completely covering the lawn (which won’t survive
with all that cover). An easy way to pick up leaves is with your lawn mower. Fall is the best time to trim bushes and trees, especially after the leaves have fallen. Be sure to clear tree limbs and shrubs away from sidewalks, alleys, driveways, fences, and property lines. If you can’t see the windows or doorways to your home, it’s time to trim.
Keep storm drains clear
City storm drains can get clogged with fallen leaves and flood streets and alleys. The City of DuPont is clearing storm drains on weekdays now through mid-November. The schedule can be found here.
If you are planning to remove a grown tree or plant a new tree, be sure to submit a property improvement request (tips on how to find forms is under Northwest Landing Events above). You may also need a permit from the City of DuPont to remove a tree. DuPont Citizens Tree Care Manual
Do not dump leaves, lawn and tree clippings in the woods! And don’t blow leaves into the street unless you plan to pick them up there. Blowing leaves into the street can clog storm drains, causing a flooding problem. We have many trees in DuPont, so we can’t depend on city street sweepers to keep up. You may think dumping yard waste in the woods a natural way to manage yard waste but it is a fire hazard. And you may be introducing weeds to the woods. On Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge land adjacent to homes on Hoffman Hill, it’s a federal crime.
Washington State University’s suggested timeline for fertilizing lawns in western Washington is November 15–December 7, April 15, June 15, and September 1. Washington State University’s Home Lawn Guide.
Gardening resources for Washington State – flower beds, fruits, lawns, pest management, and more.
If you have suggestions about plants and plant care for the bulletin, email
Arborvitae – native tree with many uses
Arborvitae, or white cedar, is a very popular landscape tree and shrub. The meaning of arborvitae is “tree of life.” Native to the United States and Canada, arborvitae was introduced by indigenous people to early settlers for its medicinal use – a tea made from foliage could ward off scurvy. The native arborvitae was (and is) a tall columnar tree. There are several cultivars that are smaller shrubs. In Northwest Landing, builders often included arborvitae in residential and commercial properties. Arborvitae are also popular with our resident black-tailed deer. In the photo on the left, trees are “trimmed” at deer level. These trees will soon grow too tall if not pruned back. The center and right photos show arborvitae planted as a “living fence.” These need to be kept no taller than eight feet. Learn more about how to choose and grow arborvitae: The Mighty Arborvitae.
City of DuPont Events
Downtown Trick or Treating • Friday • October 31 • 3-5 p.m. • along Wilmington Drive and neighboring businesses.
SAIL-Stay Active & Independent for Life • Mondays & Wednesdays • 10-11 a.m. • DuPont Community Center • 303 Barksdale Avenue • 4-week class, $40 • $5 drop-in session. Next class begins October 20 but you can drop in on any class. Strength, balance and flexibility fitness for adults age 65 and older. Falling is a leading cause of injury among older adults but can be prevented. Programs like SAIL are recommended by the Washington State Department of Health Injury Prevention Program to keep us on our toes without falling.
DuPont Yoga at the DuPont Community Center • Gentle Yoga, Mondays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. • Ying Yoga, Tuesdays 6:30-7:45 p.m. • Morning Stretch, Saturdays, 8-9 a.m. • DuPont Community Center • 5 classes-$90, 10 classes-$150, drop-in-$20.
Senior Lunch & Movie • Tuesday • November 18, December 2 • $15 plus tax • meet at DuPont City Hall at 11:15 a.m. • lunch and choice of movie • transportation not provided.
Puzzle Competition • Saturday • November 15 • 6 p.m. • $20 per person or $80 per team • hosted by DuPont and Steilacoom at the Steilacoom Community Center. Teams will race to complete a puzzle while enjoying dinner, non-alcoholic beverages, and plenty of friendly competition.
Intro to Ukelele • Mondays • October 6-November 3 • Youth 10-17, 4:15-5:45 p.m. • Adults 18+, 6:30-8 p.m. • DuPont Community Center • DuPont residents-$149, non-residents-$179.
Intro to Acoustic Guitar • Tuesdays • October 7-November 4 • Youth 10-17, 4:15-5:45 p.m. • Adults 18+, 6:30-8 p.m. • DuPont Community Center • DuPont residents-$149, non-residents-$179.
Teen Programs • Dungeons & Dragons Club, Thursdays, 4:30-6:30 p.m. • Knitting Club, Sundays, 10-11 a.m.
Gingerbread Open House • DuPont History Museum • Sunday • December 7 • 1-3:30 p.m. • decorate a gingerbread house and shop at the museum store.
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