Leaf removal in Kalispell, Whitefish

Kalispell city street crews are preparing for fall leaf removal.

Residents and business operators are encouraged to rake the leaves from the boulevard onto the street approximately two feet away from the curb. Vehicles must be removed from curb sides during leaf pickup operations.

Avenues will be done on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Streets will be done on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Outlying residential areas will be done daily. City street personnel will make every effort to remove leaves as quickly as possible.

Residents are asked not to put rocks, dirt, cans, bottles, branches and similar items in the leaf piles, because they may cause bodily injury and damage to machinery.

For more information, contact the City of Kalispell Public Works Department 758-7720.

Bagged leaf pickup in Whitefish will occur on Fridays from today through Dec. 7.

Call the Public Works Department at 863-2457 or 863-2462 if your bags are not picked up within two weeks, or if you are interested in receiving bagged leaves for composting.

Follow these guidelines:

n All leaves must be bagged and securely tied. Do not rake leaves into the street. Bags weighing more than 25 pounds will not be picked up. Do not place animal waste or refuse products into the bags.

n Bags of leaves for pick up are to be stacked on the nearest boulevard. If there is not access to a boulevard, bags may be set a minimum of 10 feet from the nearest refuse container. City employees will not enter onto private property to retrieve bagged leaves.

n Do not place leaves into any city refuse container.

The city encourages all residents to compost leaves and yard debris. Consider using compostable lawn and leaf bags.

All leaves collected are being composted by the Purple Frog Garden and the Whitefish Community Garden.

The fall residential street sweeping will commence soon.