Fort Wayne & NE Indiana News

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Government

2016 Leaf Collection Schedule

Once again the Division of Public Works, street department, will be out in full force picking up leaves this fall. Beginning Monday, October 17, 2016, crews will visit every neighborhood twice, during the seven week curbside collection season. The curbside collection schedule is below and was mailed to residents in recent City Utilities’ bills.

Bagging leaves and having them picked up on a resident’s schedule continues to grow in popularity. Last year, we saw a 35% increase in participation of those residents placing leaves in biodegradable bags at the curb and calling 311 to schedule a pick-up. As a result, we collected nearly 26,000 bags of leaves, which was about a 6,000-ton increase in bagged leaf collection.

Residents wanting regular curbside collection should rake leaves to the curb or park strip in front of their home by 7 a.m. on Monday of their designated collection week. Leaf collection may occur on any day of the designated collection week. Other yard waste should not be mixed with the leaves, and cars should not be parked over the leaves.

The 2016 Fort Wayne Leaf Pick-up schedule (See attached map)

Oct. 17-21 South

Oct. 24-28 North

Oct. 31-Nov.4. Central

Nov. 7-11 South

Nov. 14-18 North

Nov. 28-Dec. 2 Central

There will be no leaf collection on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11.

Daily Schedule Updates

Beginning the afternoon of October 17, daily updates of the specific neighborhoods that crews will be in the next day, will be available online by using www.cityoffortwayne.org/leaves to access the leaf webpage. Additionally, beginning October 17, residents can call the leaf pick-up hotline, 427-2302 to get daily updates.

Safety and Maintenance

As a safety precaution, and to assist motorists, parents should remind children to not play in leaf piles near the street.

To prevent street flooding, residents should make sure leaves are not near a storm drain and that storm drains are free and clear to handle rain water.

No Burning

Burning leaves within the City limits is a violation of City Code. The fine is $50; $75 after 30 days (Ordinance #74.70)

Why start October 17?

The men and women of the street department are the same employees who plow and salt our streets during snow and ice events. In our City, we often see winter events during late November and early December and it is important to have leaf collection complete before snow events occur.

Residents can still have leaves collected in biodegradable bags, by calling 311 and scheduling the service. Biodegradable bags orders will continue to be picked up through December 21, 2016.