Your Home Town Bulletin • October 2025

NW Landing office closed October 13

The Northwest Landing office will be closed Monday, October 13, for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The office will reopen Tuesday, October 14, at 9 a.m.

Indigenous People in DuPont

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated on the same day as Columbus Day. King County and the cities of Olympia, Seattle, and Spokane also recognize the day in honor of Washington’s indigenous people (First People). The Nisqually Indian Tribe and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe both own property in and around DuPont. The Nisqually people built a traditional longhouse off Mounts Road on the former Braget farm. The Lushootseed phrase “sxwdaɁdəb” on the front of the longhouse means “a place to gather your spirit power.” The tribe also owns acreage in the Old Fort Lake area above Sequalitchew Creek and adjacent to the DuPont Civic Center. 

The Cowlitz Tribe operates a tribal member service office located at 1000 Davis Place, near Bell Hill. 

 

Sign up for Tour of Halloween Homes

Get ready for the 2025 Tour of Halloween Homes! Sign up for the Halloween decorating contest here.

Oh! And then there’s Pumpkin People!

The DuPont Chamber of Commerce is hosting Pumpkin People, beginning with a launch party at Powderworks Park on Saturday, October 18, at 9 a.m. in collaboration with Wear Blue: Run to Remember. The celebration will feature a pumpkin patch and pumpkin-spiced treats,  setting the stage for two weeks of fall fun.

From October 18 through October 31, businesses and organizations will display “Pumpkin People” creations down Wilmington Drive. Community members and visitors are invited to participate by walking through town, enjoying the displays, and capturing memories with photos. You are encouraged to share your favorites on social media using #DuPontPumpkinPeople.

Fall Cleanup 2025 with Lemay Pierce County Refuse

The City of Dupont, with LeMay Pierce County Refuse, is offering clean-up of your unwanted materials on Saturday, October 18, starting at 8 a.m. Curbside pickup only. There will be no bulk waste drop-off site. Place your unwanted materials in bags or boxes no heavier than 45 pounds each. Place them at your regular pickup location by 8 a.m. Make sure bags or boxes are securely closed to protect contents from weather and wildlife. No hazardous materials! These include antifreeze, flammable liquids, fluorescent bulbs, oil-based paints, insecticides, and garden chemicals.

Put those window air conditioners away

Window mounted air conditioners are allowed in the front and side of homes from May 1 to September 30. Permanent window mounted air conditioning units are allowed in windows at the back of the house.

Protect migrating birds at night

It’s the beginning of fall migration for thousands of birds – most of which fly at night. That’s why it’s important that outdoor lights are shielded so they face downward and not up into the sky. Turn off any non-essential lighting by 10 p.m. We live next to the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. What many of us love about living here is the wildlife. Let’s do our part and protect our wild neighbors. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Threats to Birds, Collisions from Nighttime Lighting
Cornell Lab of Ornithology estimates that as many as a billion birds die each year from flying into buildings. “Shutting off lights during migration and taking other measures, like installing window films on the glass’s exterior, can save birds. A study published in the journal Biological Conservation in 2020 suggested that extinguishing even some light during migration can benefit birds attracted to the artificial radiance.”

 

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. 

Welcome Cara Monroe, our new assistant director

Cara Monroe is our new assistant director and succeeds Emily Griffith, who served Northwest Landing Owners Associations (Residential and Commercial) for more than a decade. .

More than 200 people applied for the position, which requires a background in community associations. Cara’s experience includes several years right here in DuPont for Northwest Landing, where she has served as a compliance officer and administrative assistant. She has also worked for DuPont Realty in property management.

A self-described “military brat,” Cara has lived “in and out” of DuPont for the past 25 years. She’s a graduate of Steilacoom High School and Corban University (OR), where she earned a bachelor’s degree in social sciences.

When asked what she likes best about living in Northwest Landing, Cara said “I like the original concept of Northwest Landing being a walkable community. Safe places to walk and beautiful trails. You can walk out your front door and access nature anywhere. I love that small town feel.”

What does she like the least? “Hmm. That’s a tough one,” Cara continues. “The hardest part about living here is deciding which trail to hike with my dog Saffie.”

Her biggest priority in her new role with the association is to strengthen trust  between the ROA staff and residents by improving communication, transparency, and consistency. She wants to offer clear resources to homeowners and ways to get involved. “I want to streamline the property improvement process to make life easier for homeowners.”  

Northwest Landing’s dedicated team also include Director Shirley Ely, who joined the association in 2021, Compliance Officer Monica Belton, who joined the staff in 2022, and Northwest Landing veteran, Office Manager Denise Ford. Denise has been with the association for more than 20 years.

Pictured here from left:

Emily Griffith, Denise Ford, Monica Belton, and Shirley Ely >

 

Northwest Landing Events

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.

Summer drew many of your neighbors to garden and sourdough workshop, bunco game night, bowling and more!

 

 

Dear ROA,

I just got a notice from the ROA that I need to clean the siding on my house. I usually do that once a year in the spring. If I do it now, it’ll just get dirty again after our rainy winter.

– Sidelined by dirty siding

Dear Sidelined,

Although it’s true that cleaning siding is recommended for the spring, if your siding is so dirty that our compliance officer could see it easily from the street, it’s time to clean it. Spring is six months away, after all. Here’s a good guide from Reviewed.com: Yes, you need to clean the vinyl siding on your house – here’s how.

Have a question for Ask ROA? Send a message to

 

 

 

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 

 

City of DuPont Events

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 6 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.

Saving the Nisqually Delta • book talk with author Janine Gates • Sunday • October 12 • 2 p.m. • DuPont History Museum • 207 Barksdale Ave.

Youth Basketball • registration ends October 10 • season runs December 1, 2025-February 28, 2026 • K-9 grades

Senior Lunch & Movie • Tuesday • October 28, 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.

Teen Halloween Thrift Shopping Trip • Friday • October 10 • 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. • $10 • must register by October 8.

Halloween Hullabaloo • Friday • October 17 • 6 p.m. • Steilacoom Community Center – 2301 Worthington St, Steilacoom • family friendly night with a magic show, spooky treats for purchase, a bonehunt for kids 8 & under, and indoor trick-or-treating • free entry • registration required. 

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.

Parks & Recreation Annual Auction • October 8-12 • tickets on sale now • proceeds support youth, adult and senior programming.

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