Today, Fort Wayne Street Commissioner Brian Shimkus and Public Works Director Shan Gunawardena kicked off the first week of annual leaf collection in the City of Fort Wayne.
City of Fort Wayne Indiana news release:
Leaf Collection Kicks-Off in the North Part of Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana (November 2, 2026) – Street Commissioner Brian Shimkus and Public Works Director Shan Gunawardena today kicked off the first week of annual leaf collection in the City of Fort Wayne.
Beginning today, the Fort Wayne Street Department will collect leaves in the City’s more than 400 neighborhoods. This year’s leaf pick-up will run through December 19, but weather conditions or the volume of leaves in a particular area may cause the planned schedule to shift slightly. To keep residents informed of any changes in the schedule, leaf collection updates will be provided daily before 3:00 p.m. at cityoffortwayne.org/leaves. The daily updates will include what neighborhood the crews will be working in the following day. A collection map and guidelines for the process will also be located on the web page. Additionally, residents have the option to call 260-427-2603 to hear recorded daily updates.
“I’m appreciative of the Street Department’s outstanding efforts to perform this important task for our community,” said Mayor Sharon Tucker. “Leaf collection is something that residents and neighborhoods depend on each year. I’m encouraged that we’re able to provide this vital service. It’s an example of city government’s commitment to meeting the needs of the public.”
The 2026 Fort Wayne Leaf Pick-Up schedule
- North Neighborhoods: November 2 – November 7 & November 30 – December 5
- Central Neighborhoods: November 9 – November 14 & December 7 – December 12
- South Neighborhoods: November 16 – November 21 & December 14 – December 19
There WILL be leaf collection on November 11, Veterans Day, but there will be no leaf collection November 26 and 27 during the Thanksgiving holiday.
November 23-25 has been set aside to catch up on any weather-related delays to the schedule.
Residents are asked to rake leaves to the curb or park strip in front of their home, but not in the street. Leaves should be in the pick-up area by Monday at 7:00 a.m. on the collection week.
Collection Guidelines
- Rake leaves to the park strip by 7:00 a.m. on the first day of the week when crews will be in your area.
- Don’t put leaves in your trash or recycling cart.
- Don’t burn leaves. It’s a violation of the City Code and can result in a fine.
- Don’t place leaves in the street.
- Don’t place leaves in or over storm drains.
- Parents should remind children not to play in leaf piles near the street for safety and to assist motorists.
Those who would like the flexibility of having leaves collected at their convenience may use the biodegradable bag system. Residents with bagged leaves are asked to call 311 to schedule a pick-up. The bags need to be placed at the curb prior to calling 311. Bagged leaf collection will run through the end of 2026, weather permitting.
Last year, crews collected 17,110 leaf bags and hauled 4,399 truckloads of leaves.
In March 2027, the Street Department will announce two additional weeks for bagged leaf collection.
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