Oak Park Sets Leaf Collection Schedule

Oak Park officials have set the dates and pickup schedules for the village's annual leaf collection program.

Residents can escape the tedious seasonal activity by simply raking the leaves into the street, then letting a public-private partnership handle the rest.

Leaves racked into the street — officials ask that they're swept at least 18 inches from the curb — will be pushed into piles by the Public Works department and collected by Waste Management workers.

The pickups will begin Oct. 18 in south and east portions of the village, then continue throughout Oak Park on a regular rotating schedule, which is posted next to this article. (The black and white one.)

Here are the rules, according to the village's official website:

• Do not add brush, grass clippings or yard waste to leaf piles. The collection program is for leaves only.
• 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.
• Keep catch basins clear of raked leaves. Clogged basins may cause flooding.
• Inform your landscape service of the leaf collection schedule.
• Do not park on or near a pile of leaves. Heat from your car could ignite the leaves. In addition, your car could interfere with leaf removal.
• Obey all parking restrictions. Regulations will be strictly enforced.
• Dampen pile after raking to avoid having leaves blown by the wind.