City Street Department crews today kicked off the City'€™s annual Leaf Pickup program. Crews are in the south section of the City this week collecting leaves. Residents should have their leaves ready for pickup on the first day of their scheduled week. The Street Department will be in the area sometime that week to collect leaves, weather permitting.

Leaves should be raked to the park strip area or placed in brown biodegradable yard waste bags and set at the curb for collection. If residents use biodegradable bags, they can call the Street Department at 427-1235 for pickup within two business days.

Residents are encouraged to visit the City'€™s website, www.cityoffortwayne.org or call the Leaf Hotline at 427-2302 for daily updates of where crews will be picking up leaves. Signs will also be posted at work locations. Fort Wayne City Utilities customers received a leaf pickup schedule and map in their September utility bill. That same information is available online at www.cityoffortwayne.org.

2006 Leaf Pickup schedule:
SOUTH                                   CENTRAL                              NORTH

Oct. 16-20                               Oct. 23-27                               Oct. 30-Nov. 3

Nov. 6-10                                Nov. 13-17                              Nov. 27-Dec. 1

Dec. 4-8                                  Dec. 11-15                               Dec. 18-22