Whether it is time to rake leaves in the fall or shovel snow in the winter, Oak Parkers are encouraged to look for opportunities to help neighbors who may need assistance. Leaves will no longer be raked directly into the street this fall under changes coming to the Village’s leaf collection program. With one option for discarding leaves being to place them in the parkway in yard waste bags and/or rigid containers, property owners can tap into their neighborly instincts by helping those in need of support.
The Village is also coordinating an online portal where Oak Parkers who are willing to volunteer to help rake leaves can be connected with residents who are seeking assistance. Visit the leaf collection assistance section at www.oak-park.us/leafcollection to sign up to volunteer and to request assistance.
A Village program to assist income-eligible residents who physically cannot shovel snow nor afford to hire a shoveling service is being expanded to included leaf services this fall. More information is available in the leaf collection assistance section at www.oak-park.us/leafcollection or by contacting 708.358.5700 or publicworks@oak-park.us.
Leaf collection block parties…To support the community-minded spirit of assisting neighbors, the Village is allowing each block to host an extra leaf collection block party during weekends in November. Visit www.oak-park.us/leafcollection to request a leaf collection block party. All the rules for traditional block parties apply, including the requirement to include a petition signed by at least 10 separate addresses on the block. The Village will provide leaf collection supplies for block parties upon request. This initiative is intended to give neighbors an extra chance to gather while also making it easier to collect fallen leaves.