Your Home Town Bulletin • September 2024
NW Landing office closed for Labor Day
The Northwest Landing office will be closed from noon on Friday, August 30, through Monday, September 2, for the Labor Day holiday. The office will reopen Tuesday, September 3, at 9 a.m.
Wean yourself away from ‘SummerWeen’
The Halloween enthusiasts among us may be delighted to find new spooky decorations popping up in stores right now. Many retailers are embracing a trend known as “Summerween”. Please resist the temptation to put up your Halloween decorations any earlier than October 1.
Who to call – city or ROA
Whether you are new to Northwest Landing or have lived here for several years, you may not know who to call about something like an abandoned car on the street or a tree that is ready to fall down. 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, 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 . If you receive a violation notice or fine and have questions, call 253-964-1289 or . If you’ve got a complaint about a property in Northwest Landing, you must submit your complaint in writing to .
The Northwest Landing website hosts a Who You Gonna Call webpage which includes common topics our office gets questions about. Governing documents for the association are also available without logging into the members’ portal.
So…what about the string lights?
You may remember that we also asked about holiday lighting. Our current rules allow holiday lights 30 days before and after a holiday. Also, there are the so-called “permanent” string lights that are low-wattage LED and are only seen when lit.
As a community that borders a national wildlife refuge and is in a bird migration flyway, we need to be very careful about what we go forward with in terms of new rules about this kind of lighting. For example, if we allow these lights to be lit anytime throughout the year, we’re contributing to light pollution and endangering the wildlife that live near us. For example, blue and bright white lights can disorient wildlife, especially migrating birds, while green and warm colors do not (The Wildlife Society).
Even though LED lighting is low-wattage, it is brighter than the soft Edison-style lighting. We are communicating with wildlife refuge management and representatives of the Dark Sky organization to help us determine a responsible path forward. You can expect to see a new string light rule before the fall and winter holidays.
Damaged and dying trees removed at NW Landing greenspace
Three silver maples were removed from a Northwest Landing greenspace on Rooklidge in mid-August. Two were severely damaged. One had dropped a limb on a nearby house. The stumps will be ground at a later date, and we are working on a plan for the garden areas where the trees were removed (pictured below).
End of summer maintenance
On the roof: The worst time to find out if your roof needs to be replaced is when the rainy season begins, and your roof is leaking. Most importantly, stay safe. We recommend that owners have the roof inspected by a professional roofing company. If they are looking sketchy, please be sure to submit your Property Improvement Request as soon as possible to avoid a last-minute rush. It is equally important to regularly clean falling leaves and plant debris out of your gutters to avoid having it build up and plug your gutters and downspouts. As the water backs up and moisture gets underneath the roof shingles, it can cause water damage to your roof sheathing.
Clear dirt from bottom of fence: If you already have dirt or plantings piled up against a fence, dig it out so that there is at 
least 2-3 inches of clearance between the bottom of the fence and the ground. Avoid leaning anything against the fence. Consider installing a proper retaining wall inside of the fence to avoid premature deterioration of the fence. If your yard backs up to a fence that the association maintains, you may be charged for any repair or replacement of damaged fencing that results.
Last yard sale for 2024
The last yard sale date for this year is Saturday, September 14. Northwest Landing covenants allow for two yard sales a year. Yard sales, however, are not sponsored by either the ROA or the city. Homeowners are responsible for their own advertising and signs. Be sure to take signs down at the end of the day. For the September yard sale, the City of DuPont is offering a new “bonanza” where people can rent space at Clocktower Park. There will be food trucks at the park all day. See City of DuPont Events below.
Board of Directors – 5:15 p.m. • Wednesday • October 9 – via Zoom
– reservations required by October 2. Call 253-964-1289 to reserve. On Zoom. Your 2024 Board of Directors can be reached at . 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. Project 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.
Dear ROA,
Why are the trees and shrubs on McDonald Ave by McNeil, being allowed to die from lack of water? These plants are along apartments that must have regulations. The replacement value must be huge and, in the meantime, look so sad. I also wonder why the street trees along McNeil by the childcare center and Brewski’s Pizza are not watered? They are stressed and some are dying. Aren’t businesses required to adhere to our community’s covenants? Why would an apartment complex be allowed to let street trees and foundation plantings die? We are a “tree town,” after all.
– Sad in Palisade Village
Dear Sad,
Yes, it is very sad! The properties you pointed to are members of the Northwest Landing Commercial Owners Association which abides by similar covenants that govern residences in Northwest Landing. Unfortunately, this is a common problem in DuPont with residential properties as well. Although “parking strips” are technically owned by the City of DuPont, the adjacent owners are responsible for the care and maintenance of the grass and trees planted there. The city maintains parking strips in areas where there are no buildings, such as next to woods or parks. We have contacted the owners of the properties and will be following up on improving conditions there.
Tree care important in fall
Fall is the best time to spruce up our trees. The ROA office has received several complaints from homeowners about trees that overhang sidewalks so much that you must duck under them to get down the street. This is a really good time to trim back those trees! Be sure to clear tree limbs and shrubs away from sidewalks, alleys, driveways, fences, and property lines. Also be sure to trim your ground cover and climbing plants and roots away as well.
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
Fall color and blooms
We do have some cold weather in the winters here, but we also often have many days of 50 degrees and above when European honeybees and some bumblebees will be active. There are trees and shrubs that bloom in fall and winter here.
28 Species Attractive to Pollinators and People West of the Cascades (Oregon State University)
Native plants for fall color (King County, WA)
Fall is tree planting season – planting and care (City of Seattle)
And then there’s Larch Madness
From Washington State Parks: Maybe you’ve heard of larches, and maybe you haven’t. (Spoiler alert: they are not a type of bird.) Unique to the Northwest (particularly to central Washington), these deciduous conifers turn greenish gold, then bright orange, then burnt orange – almost pink – in September and October. The trees then drop their needles for winter. Get ready for your Larch March at Washington State Parks.
Washington State University’s suggested spring timeline for fertilizing lawns in western Washington is November 15–December 7, April 15, June 15, and September 1.
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
DuPont Farmers Market • Thursday • 3-7 p.m. • September 5 • Clocktower Park
Spooky Stories • Friday the 13th (September) • Clocktower Park • 6:45 p.m. • $7 • come listen to Chris Staudinger of Pretty Gritty Tours with mysterious tales from around Pierce County. Bring a chair • age 12 and up • hot cider and treats • costumes encouraged.
Big Bargain Bonanza • Saturday • September 14 • 9 a.m.-3 p.m. • Clocktower Park • $25 for 20×20 ft spot to sell your one-of-a-kind collectibles.
Gentle Yoga Class • August 10-October 12 • 7:30-8:30 a.m. • DuPont Community Center
Digital Photography Techniques • Saturdays 1:30-3:30- September 21, 28, October 12 • Classes meet at DuPont Historical Museum. October 5 • 2:30-4:30 p.m. • Scott Kelby’s Worldwide PhotoWalk • anyone may sign up for the photowalk, which is also part of the photography class.
Sign up for city news
You can sign up for city email lists on a variety of topics including parks and recreation, public works, and city council news. Sign up for City of DuPont newsletters and alerts here