Rake 'Em Up: Leaf Collection Ends This Week

If you're an Oak Park or River Forest resident who hasn't taken advantage of the village's leaf collection programs, your time is running out. 

The programs wrap up this week. After that, you'll have to bag 'em yourself. 

Residents in both villages are asked to rake leaves — not grass clippings, yard waste or brush — about 18 inches from the curb on the day before the scheduled pickup dates, when public works crews and contractors push them into piles and haul them away.

In Oak Park, three pickup dates remain.

On Tuesday, crews will visit neighborhoods from Harlem Avenue to East Avenue, from South Boulevard to Roosevelt Road. On Wednesday, they'll visit neighborhoods from Harlem Avenue to East Avenue, from North Avenue to South Boulevard. Finally on Thursday, they'll visit neighborhoods from East Avenue to Austin Boulevard, from North Avenue to South Boulevard. 

In River Forest, leaf collection ends Nov. 30. Here's the village's pickup schedule. After that, you're next chance to have the village collect village leaves will be at the start of the yard waste pickup program on April 1.

The Village of Oak Park's website has some additional tips and advice for those looking to participate.