Leaf pick-up season begins Monday and will run through Feb. 14, 2020.
“During this season, we will be completing three passes,” said Deputy Director of Public Works Steve Franklin. “Each pass will consist of 10 zones.”
Public Works starts leaf pick-up in a different zone each year — this year will start in zone 7, located in the west-central part of town, Franklin said.
“It is Griffith Avenue to Scherm Road — Frederica Street to the bypass,” he said.
Public Works sets goals before each leaf pick-up season starts. This year’s goals include completing the first pass by Nov. 15, while the second pass’s goal is Nov. 16-Dec. 20. The third pass is hoped to be completed from Dec. 21-Feb. 14.
The third pass typically ends by mid-January, but Public Works will still pick up leaves on a call-in basis.
City residents have three different avenues for disposing of their leaves.
Three trucks with leaf machines will drive around town with three employees per truck, and these vehicles will operate in the same zone until that zone is completed, Franklin said.
Two trucks will operate on bagged leaves around town. Bagged leaves will be picked up on each zone’s trash pick-up dates.
Finally, there’s a drop-off location for leaves located at the Owensboro Sportscenter, where City residents can drop their bagged leaves off.
Public Works will advertise the days for leaf pick-up during the season, Franklin said.
Franklin asks that residents not let their leaves fall into the streets, sidewalks, or gutters before Public Works comes by to pick them up.
“Make sure raked piles are not blocked by trailers, vehicles, put over utility meters, or anything like that,” he said. “We don’t want to contaminate these leaves — no trash, no debris, anything like that.”
Last year, Public Works collected 1,602 tons of leaves — equivalent to 3,204,000 pounds.
