Fall leaf collection set for Oct. 30 - Dec. 8

Oct. 24, 2023 - The annual fall leaf collection program is scheduled for Oct. 30 – Dec. 7 with six 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 and taken to a commercial composting site. See the map below for scheduled pickup dates.

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.

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. Click here for information about sustainably mulching or composting yard waste.
• 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, bicycle racks or bicycle lanes.
• 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.

2023 Leaf Collection Schedule