The European chafer beetle issue is still affecting lawns in The Ridge, and we are continuing to see signs of active grub damage this spring. Brown patches, slow green-up, and turf disturbed by raccoons and crows indicate that grubs are feeding near the surface again. If your lawn has been impacted, now is the time to assess the damage and begin recovery and treatment steps before the season progresses further.
For detailed guidance on repair, treatment timing, and prevention, please check out our previous post on how to prevent this from happening again in the future:
Whether you’ve called the Ridge home for many years or are new to the neighborhood, this is a great time to review, or reacquaint yourself with our HOA Community Rules and Guidelines.
One of the most common requests we receive involves architectural applications. To help streamline the approval process, we’ve included links below to the community rules as well as the applications required for HOA review and approval. Taking a moment to review these materials before starting a project can help avoid delays and ensure everything goes smoothly.
As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to reach out to Vicki at Zaran Sayre via our Contact Us form: https://theridge-hoa.com/contact-us/ We’re happy to help!
Thank you for your cooperation and for helping keep the Ridge a well maintained and welcoming community.
Questionnaires from Board-approved nominees: Marcus Jackson and Rob Graf
2025 Proxy Form
If you’re unable to attend in person, please print and complete the proxy form (found on the last page of the packet) and give it to a neighbor or Board member. Having enough homeowners represented, either in person or by proxy, is critical to reaching quorum and conducting official business. Your participation is truly appreciated!
We look forward to seeing you on July 16th at 6:00 PM!
Get Ready for The Ridge Annual Yard Sale! Mark your calendars, our neighborhood yard sale is happening on Saturday, July 12th, and we’re just 30 days away!
It’s the perfect time to start planning, decluttering, and gathering up items to sell. Whether you’re looking to lighten your load or just enjoy the day, it’s a great way to connect with neighbors and have some fun.
Date: Saturday, July 12th Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
We’re looking forward to a great turnout and hope to see you out there!
The Ridge Board has received multiple reports of a strong odor, similar to burning trash, coming from the southeast corner of Big Park and along 5th Avenue.
We want to remind all residents:
Burning trash is illegal in Federal Way and creates serious health and environmental risks. Only untreated wood may be burned in a permitted fireplace or fire pit.
If you detect this type of odor:
Please report it immediately using our Contact Us form.
You can also contact:
Federal Way Police Department (non-emergency): (253) 835-2121
F-Dub Security: (253) 883-7761
If you can identify the source of the odor, please include that information in your report. The Board will take enforcement action, including fines, if a responsible household is identified.
We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a safe, healthy, and respectful community for all.
The curb repair work in Division 2 has been completed! This improvement will help contain dirt and debris, provide clearer definition to the island, and enhance the overall appearance for residents. The finished work eliminates a previous safety hazard and is no longer an eyesore. Thank you for your patience.
Exciting progress on our tennis and pickleball court project! Today was a big milestone, the concrete was poured, and it was quite a sight to see the impressive setup in action. It will take a total of twelve truckloads of cement to complete the project! More photos are on the way as we move closer to the finish line. Stay tuned and thank you for your continued enthusiasm and support!
We’re excited to invite you to three special events happening this summer, be sure to mark your calendar! More details will be heading your way soon. We’re looking forward to everyone’s participation and can’t wait to see you there!
July 12th (Saturday) The Ridge Annual Yard Sale 9am-3pm
July 16th (Wednesday) Annual HOA Meeting – Big Park Pavilion 6pm-8pm
August 5th (Tuesday) National Night Out – Big Park Pavilion 6pm-8pm
We’re pleased to share that the concrete foundation for our new tennis and pickleball court is scheduled to be poured on Friday, April 25, weather permitting.
To complete the work in a single day, the pour may begin as early as 6:00 a.m. We apologize in advance for any early morning noise or inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding.
This is a long-awaited improvement that will enhance our community for years to come. We hope you’ll take full advantage of the upgraded court once it’s complete!
Great news – 7th Way Street light project is ahead of schedule!
The “Federal Way Street Light Infill Improvements” project has been nearly three years in the making, and it’s finally becoming a reality!
Installation of six new light poles, from the top of 7th Way SW down to Campus Drive is currently underway.
Originally launched in May 2024 with a projected completion date of December 2025, we’re thrilled to share that the project is significantly ahead of schedule.
A heartfelt thank you to the City of Federal Way and to Kathy Davis, P.E., Senior Traffic Engineer, for their leadership and dedication in making this happen!
Many homeowners in The Ridge have experienced significant lawn damage this winter due to the European chafer beetle. The real culprit is not the adult beetle, but its larval stage—white, C-shaped grubs that feed on grass roots from late summer through spring. As the grubs feed underground, they weaken and kill the turf, often leading to large brown patches. To make matters worse, raccoons and crows frequently dig up lawns in search of these grubs, compounding the damage.
What’s happening under your lawn
European chafer beetles lay their eggs in dry turf during the summer. By August, grubs begin feeding and continue into the fall. During warmer periods in winter, they may resume feeding briefly before going dormant again. In early spring—right now—they return to the surface and begin feeding aggressively on grass roots until late May. This is when lawns may appear slow to green up or fail to recover altogether.
Late March through April is the ideal time to begin repairing grub-damaged areas:
Clear Debris: Rake away dead grass, leaves, and thatch to expose soil.
Reseed Bare Spots: Use a grass seed mix suitable for our climate and apply generously to any bare or thinned areas.
Add Soil or Compost: Lightly topdress seeded areas to help retain moisture and improve germination.
Water Consistently: Keep the soil consistently moist until seedlings are well established.
Fertilize Carefully: Apply a starter fertilizer to support new growth, if desired.
Treatment and prevention
If your lawn is showing signs of active damage—such as torn-up grass from raccoons or brown patches that fail to green up—short-term action can still help. Insecticides containing carbaryl or trichlorfon can be applied in March or April to reduce the grub population before they finish feeding for the season. These curative treatments are most effective on actively feeding grubs and should be watered in immediately after application. Always follow label instructions and take appropriate safety precautions.
To avoid future infestations, plan ahead for summer. European chafer beetles begin laying eggs in July, and preventive treatments are most effective when applied before grubs hatch. A healthy, well-watered lawn in June is less attractive to egg-laying beetles. For long-term protection:
Apply a preventive grub treatment between mid-June and mid-July using products that contain imidacloprid, chlorantraniliprole, or similar ingredients.
Water your lawn deeply after applying treatments to ensure they reach the root zone.
Follow all safety guidelines, including proper storage and use of protective gear.
By combining early spring care with preventive summer treatment, you can help your lawn recover this season and avoid repeated damage in future years.
Great news, Ridge homeowners! The Ridge HOA is excited to announce the upcoming replacement and enhancement of our community tennis and pickleball court. After nearly 40 years of use, the court has reached a point where resurfacing is no longer a viable option due to deep cracks caused by settling, wear, and root invasion.
To ensure a safe and high-quality playing surface for years to come, we are moving forward with a full replacement. The project will begin with the removal of four surrounding trees, which have contributed to the root damage. This work is scheduled for March. Weather permitting, demolition and excavation of the current court will follow in March or April.
During construction, we kindly ask residents to avoid the court area for safety reasons. If all goes according to plan, we anticipate completion by late spring or early summer—just in time to enjoy the warmer months on a brand-new court!
We appreciate your patience and support as we make this exciting upgrade to our community. Stay tuned for further updates!
Welcome to our neighborhood
The Ridge is a single-family housing development of 229 homes located in Federal Way, Washington (King County). The neighborhood is managed by The Ridge Homeowners’ Association. Our neighborhood is conveniently located near the King County Aquatics Center, The Federal Way Community Center, Virginia Mason Medical Center, St. Francis Hospital, and just minutes to local shopping and Interstate 5.
The neighborhood houses two parks, a tennis/pickleball court, basketball court, playground, posts for volleyball setup, and a BBQ pavilion. Sidewalks throughout our neighborhood make it a safe place for children and families to walk.
Our mission is to preserve and enhance the value of the private and common properties that are The Ridge, and endeavor to bring our community together.
The Ridge HOA 