Fall leaf collection now underway

2019 Leaf Collection Schedule

Oct. 18, 2019 - The annual fall leaf collection program for 2019 is scheduled for Oct. 21 through Dec. 12 with eight pickups planned for each section of the Village. 

Leaves raked into the street are pushed into piles by Public Works crews during the night to reduce impact on traffic and parked cars, and then collected the following day. 

The movement of equipment to get the leaves from the streets to the trucks to a licensed composting facility is nothing less than a heavy equipment ballet. Collecting the leaves on streets in neighborhoods with on-street parking can be especially difficult, requiring crews to be creative and resourceful, and drivers to be patient.

The cooperation of residents and property owners is essential for the program to work.

Leaves need to be not only raked into the street, but ideally kept at least 18 inches from the curb to make sure the equipment can get them all.

Residents also are urged to keep their leaves on the parkway until the day before their scheduled pickup, a simple courtesy that can improve day-to-day traffic flow and reduce the chances of an accident.

But with so many property owners relying on private landscaping companies that operate on strict schedules, motorists are urged to drive with caution as they are sure to encounter huge piles of possibly wet and blowing leaves on many streets every day of the week during the collection period.

Residents also are asked to resist the urge to toss in brush, pumpkins and all other forms of plant matter that can contaminate the leaf recycling stream.

Here are a few other simple rules Village officials ask residents to follow:

• Consider composting or using the leaves as garden mulch as an alternative to raking.
• Inform landscape services of the leaf collection schedule.
• Rake leaves out the day before the scheduled pickup date as leaves raked early can create traffic hazards and take up needed parking spaces.
• Leaves only — do not add brush, grass clippings or yard waste.
• Do not park on or near a pile of leaves, which can hinder leaf removal operations. Heat from a car also could ignite the leaves.
• Rake leaves onto side streets whenever possible. Try to avoid major thoroughfares where piles of leaves might create traffic hazards.
• Do not rake leaves into or close to cul de sacs or traffic diverters. The equipment needs room to operate.
• Do not rake leaves into or close to bus shelters or bicycle racks.
• Keep catch basins clear of raked leaves to avoid flooding.
• Obey all parking restrictions. Regulations are strictly enforced.
• Dampen piles after raking to avoid leaves being blown by the wind.
• Drive carefully. Leaves are slippery when wet and large piles may hinder visibility.
• Stay alert. Intersections may be closed temporarily to create safe work zones to remove large leaf piles.

For more information, call 708.358.5700 or email publicworks@oak-park.us.