Leaves Raked In Lakewood Neighborhood Help Family Farm

LAKEWOOD, CO — The many leaves that fall in Lakewood's Southern Gables neighborhood will be raked up and sent over to a local farm. The collection will take place during the community's fifth annual Leaf, Raking, Collection and Compost day Nov. 2.

The Fleischer Family Farm, which is also in the Southern Gables neighborhood, sits on 1.4 acres and needs the leaves to enrich its soil.

The farm grows a range of produce that is sold through a community supported agriculture membership program and a weekly farm stand in the summer. It also offers a farm-to-table dinner and a variety of classes.

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The leaf event was one of the first projects created by the Sustainable Southern Gables Neighborhood group in partnership with the Southern Gables Neighborhood Association five years ago. Inspired by concerned residents interested in reducing their environmental impact, the event diverted leaf-stuffed plastic garbage bags from ending up in the landfill.

The event also has grown to include families volunteering from the Denver Christian School to rake leaves at homes of senior citizens or residents with disabilities. Since 2015, the amount of leaves collected for composting has more than doubled, with a total of 20 tons of leaves diverted from the landfill.