As the days grow shorter in the Fall, the air feels
brisk and the landscape begins to turn brilliant shades of red,
orange and yellow, it's time once again to decide what to do with
the seasons crop of falling leaves. It's also the time when
City crews hit the streets in high gear to avert the problems
that leaves and other debris can cause in our streets, stormwater
systems and open waterways when the wind and rain come to town.
Springfield Public Works' commitment to maintaining the City infrastructure,
protect property from flooding and storm damage and improve water
quality in our rivers and streams means that we take leaf management
seriously.
The benefits of the City's Policy:
Our program promotes public safety by keeping leaves
out of bike lanes, streets and sidewalks. Large piles can also
be considered a nuisance and as a violation under
City
Code 5.002, it is illegal to place debris in the right-of-way.
Large piles of leaves on the side of the road can be very hazardous,
examples include:
- Vehicles may swerve out of their lane to avoid piles of leaves.
- Dangerous items may be covered up inside piles (large rocks,
bicycles, etc.)
- Attractive nuisance for children to play in.
- Forces bicycle commuters into the travel lane of vehicles.
Mulch or Compost to help your garden grow!
Add leaves to your compost pile.
Leaves and other high carbon material should make up ¾
of your compost pile or shred them for mulch to protect plants
from winter frost.
Or rake them up for curbside pickup! Please
follow the specific guidelines for where you live.
