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Pumpkin Smash Collects More Than 8,700 Pounds Of Gourds For Compost In Naperville

Those old jack-o'-lanterns will live on as compost at Ron Ory Community Gardens in Naperville.

NAPERVILLE, IL — The Naperville Park District's Pumpkin Smash brought nearly 200 families to Ron Ory Community Gardens Saturday. The event, which was not held in 2025 due to construction, was run by 26 volunteers, who managed the more than 8,000 pounds of pumpkins brought by residents.

In total, 779 pumpkins were smashed. The gourds weighed in at a whopping 8,732 pounds, according to an update from the park district.

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