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Leaf Collection Kick-Off on North Side of Fort Wayne

Mayor Tom Henry today joined Director of Public Works Shan Gunawardena and Street Commissioner Brian Shimkus to kick off the first day of annual leaf collection in the City of Fort Wayne. 

Beginning today, the Fort Wayne Street Department will collect leaves in the City’s more than 400 neighborhoods. This year’s leaf pick-up begins on November 2 and runs through December 18, but weather conditions or the volume of leaves in a particular area may cause the planned schedule to shift slightly. To keep residents informed of any changes in the schedule, leaf collection updates will be provided daily before 3:00 p.m. at cityoffortwayne.org/leaves. The daily updates will include what neighborhood the crews will be working in the following day. A collection map and guidelines for the process are also located on the web page. Additionally, residents have the option to call 260-427-2603 to hear recorded daily updates. 

“The City of Fort Wayne is committed to providing essential services through excellent customer service. The Public Works Division and the Street Department understand the importance of leaf pickup and how our residents and neighborhoods depend on this needed service,” said Mayor Henry. “It’s vital that our community knows they can depend on local government to provide the services that are needed and expected. I encourage residents to utilize the website and phone system that have been set up to keep the public informed of our routes and progress.”

The 2020 Fort Wayne Leaf Pick-Up schedule 

November 2 – 6, North

November 9 -13, Central

November 16 – 20, South

November 30 – December 4, North

December 7 – 11, Central

December 14 -18, South

There will be no leaf collection on November 11 for Veterans Day or November 26 -27 for the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Residents are asked to rake leaves to the curb or park strip in front of their home, but not in the street. Leaves should be in the pick-up area by Monday at 7:00 a.m. on the collection week. 

Collection Guidelines

  • Rake leaves to the park strip by 7:00 a.m. on the first day of the week when crews will be in your area.
  • Don’t put leaves in your trash or recycling cart.
  • Don’t burn leaves. It’s a violation of the City Code and can result in a fine.
  • Don’t place leaves in the street.
  • Don’t place leaves in or over storm drains.
  • Parents should remind children not to play in leaf piles near the street for safety and to assist motorists. 

Those who would like the flexibility of having leaves collected at their convenience may use the biodegradable bag system. Residents with bagged leaves are asked to call 311 to schedule a pick-up. The bags need to be placed at the curb prior to calling 311. Bagged leaf collection will run through the end of 2020, weather permitting. 

Last year, crews collected 22,826 leaf bags and hauled 4,693 truckloads of leaves.

In March 2021, the Street Department will announce two additional weeks for bagged leaf collection.