SPOKANE -- City of Spokane crews are scheduled to begin leaf pickup activities on City streets on Tuesday, Nov. 3, running until mid-December. The crews generally will begin on Spokane's North Side gradually moving to the South Hill.
Although not all the leaves have fallen from the trees yet, crews need to begin leaf removal efforts now to try to beat any snowfall. Streets cleared of leaves provide safer driving conditions during winter snow and ice. Removing leaves from the streets also helps prevent clogged storm drains.
The City's leaf pickup service is intended to remove only the leaves that naturally fall into the streets. Residents should not rake leaves into the street. They need to be aware of the leaf pickup schedule, however, because the City is asking residents to move their vehicles from the streets when leaf pickup crews will be in their neighborhoods. Getting vehicles off the streets allows the crews to provide the best possible leaf removal service for citizens.
Residents do have options for getting rid of the leaves in their yards. The waste-to-energy facility and the solid waste transfer stations will accept up to 100 pounds of yard waste for free. A charge of 35 cents per 20 pounds, or $35 a ton, is added for yard waste exceeding the 100-pound limit. Those facilities are open from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
Fallen leaves also are great composting material. The Spokane Regional Solid Waste System recommends using one part brown materials, such as fallen leaves, to two parts green material, such as grass clippings. You can bag your dry leaves and save them for composting in the spring when you have grass clippings available. For more information on composting, check out the Solid Waste System's web site, which is linked on this page.
The leaf pickup schedule for Nov. 3 through Nov. 5, from 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. is as follows:
Tuesday, Nov. 3
Woodridge Area: south of north City limits, north of Barnes Rd., west of Wieber Dr., and east of Comanche Dr.
Driscoll Area: south of Wellesley Ave., north of Garland Ave., west of Belt St., and east of Northwest Blvd.
Audubon Area: south of Garland Ave., north of Northwest Blvd., west of Monroe St., and east of Northwest Blvd.
Wednesday, Nov. 4
Woodridge Area: south of north City limits, north of Barnes Rd., west of Wieber Dr., and East of Comanche.
Driscoll Area: south of Wellesley Ave., north of Garland Ave., west of Belt St., and east of Northwest Blvd.
Audubon Area: south of Garland Ave., north of Northwest Blvd., west of Monroe St., and east of Northwest Blvd.
Pacific Park: south of Barnes St., north of Sutherlin Dr., west of Farmdale St., and east of Forest Blvd.
Shadle Park: south of Wellesley Ave., north of Garland Ave., west of Wall St., and east of Belt St.
Thursday, Nov. 5
Pacific Park: south of Barnes St., north of Sutherlin Dr., west of Farmdale St., and east of Forest Blvd.
Shadle Park: south of Wellesley Ave., north of Garland Ave., west of Wall St., and east of Belt St.
Indian Trail Area: south of Johansen Rd., north of Francis Ave., west of Cedar St., and east of Nine Mile Rd.
Downriver Area: south of Northwest Blvd., north of Riverview Dr., west of Meenach Dr., and east of Columbia Circle.
The City will provide more leaf pickup schedule information in its weekly Obstruction update.
The leaf pickup schedule also can be found on the City's leaf pickup hotline at 456-2666 and on the City's web site, also linked on this page.
