Fall 2020 Cleanups and Leaf Collections

Fall is a beautiful time to live and work in University City. We are lucky to have a stunning canopy of trees, and watching the leaves turn helps announce the true arrival of autumn to the area. Of course, with changing leaves comes major clean-up duties this time of year. Below, please read about upcoming community cleanups and leaf collection options to help keep our neighborhood looking great.

This Saturday, UCD will be offering collection of bagged leaves and yard waste. Neighbors must place bagged leaves in brown, biodegradable paper bags on their street corners for pickup after 1 PM. Sign up your block by either email, or by calling us at 215-243-0555. 

The City's Streets Department is also running a Leaf Recycling Program through December 19th. Bagged Leaf Drop-Off will be offered city-wide, on Saturdays only at 13 citywide locations including 43rd and Powelton and 54th and Woodbine in West Philadelphia, from 9 AM to 3 PM (except on November 14th and 28th). A designated fleet of sanitation compactors will be positioned at the sites to accept the bagged leaves. Mechanical leaf collection will occur as a supplement to bagged collections in areas identified as having heavy accumulations of leaves. For West Philadelphia, that includes collection on Friday, November 20th between 38th and 52nd Streets from Baltimore Avenue to Spruce Street. Read more about the Leaf Recycling Program here.

This weekend, there are two options for joining community cleanups. Jamie Gauthier's office is organizing a 3rd District clean-up to focus on four local "hotspots." Join others in cleaning: Cobbs Creek (58th & Thomas), Mantua (N. 39th & Olive St), Mill Creek/Haddington (N. 51st & Westminster Ave), or Kingsessing (S. 51st and Kingsessing Ave). Click here to sign up, or contact Alexis Wright-Whitley for more information.

The Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation are teaming with local friends groups for a Love Your Park Fall Service Day this Saturday. Over 65 parks across the city, including Clark Park, Cedar Park, Bartram's Garden, and Malcolm X Park are hosting volunteer events where they'll be collecting leaves for compost, planting trees and flower builds, and cleaning up parks after a busy summer. Please note that all events will be capped at 25 total participants and will follow COVID-19 health protocols per Philadelphia's Department of Public Health. All participants are required to wear masks. Click here for a complete list and to sign up.