Oak Brook has made a few changes to makes its annual free leaf pick up program, which beings Oct. 16, in an effort make it more efficient.
Operated by the village’s Public Works Department, the fall leaf pick up continues through Dec. 1, with pickups divided among five zones.
“In recent years some inefficiencies with the program have been noted,” said Rick Valent, director of public works.
Valent said that to better serve the community, the village’s staff arborist conducted an extensive study of the trees within municipal boundaries.
“The study included cataloging the types, age and vicinity of the trees,” Valent said. “His research has allowed Public Works to restructure the leaf pick up process, to more efficiently and effectively administer this vital service.”
Changes also include changing the zone number for some of the subdivisions and adjusting the date schedule to allow for deciduous trees that lose their leaves at different times, Valent said.
“While mulching leaves, which provides much needed nutrients to improve soil health, is the preferred method to eliminate leaves, the village will be offering the leaf pick up program,” he said.
To ensure a successful season of leaf pickup, the Public Works Department is asking participating residents to adhere to the following procedures:
Do not bag your leaves if you want the village to pick them up. The specialized equipment used can only pick up piles of loose leaves.
Only leaves will be collected. Residents are asked to rake leaves to the street pavement edge and not include shrub clippings, sticks or other debris, which are harmful to village equipment and will be left behind.
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Do not pile leaves on the street pavement. Leaves are to be placed behind the curb or one foot from the edge of the pavement.
Place leaves for pickup a day or two prior to the scheduled pickup date. Any leaves placed afterward, will not be collected until the next scheduled date.
Valent said if snowplowing becomes necessary, later-season leaf pickups will be subject to weather conditions.
The list for pickups includes:
Zone 1, which includes Saddle Brook, Heritage Oaks, White Oak, and Trinity Lakes, on Oct. 16, Oct. 23, No. 6 and Nov. 27;
Zone 2, which includes Ginger Creek, Brook Forest and Briarwood, on Oct. 17, Oct. 25, Nov. 8 and Nov. 28;
Zone 3, which includes areas south of 31st Street and east of Route 83, including Lincoln, Grant and Coolidge, on Oct. 18, Oct. 27, Nov. 10, and Nov. 29;
Zone 4, which includes Woodside Estates, Forest Glen and York Woods, on Oct. 19, Oct. 31, Nov. 15 and Nov. 30;
Zone 5, which includes Yorkshire Woods, Steeplechase, Timber Trails and Merry Lane on Oct. 20, Nov. 2 and Nov. 20 and Dec. 1.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.