The city of Coeur d’Alene is inviting residents to rake pine needles into the street for pickup as crews ready for the city’s annual leaf-hauling endeavor: Leaf Fest.

Streets and Engineering Department crews will prep for Leaf Fest by first picking up large pine needle piles during the week of Nov. 7, concentrating these efforts in the Fairways, Indian Meadows and Pinegrove areas. Crews will be returning to these areas during Leaf Fest so don’t be alarmed if you see crews working in your area during this time.

Starting Tuesday, residents are asked to rake the pine needles a foot away from the curb into the street, ensuring needles do not block storm drains.

This work will help street crews be ready for the major Leaf Fest endeavor, which will occur from Nov. 14 to Dec. 2.

The city averages 700 loads of leaves per year, equating to 2,000 tons of leaves. The leaves will be hauled to the Coeur d’Alene Airport this year and tilled into the ground to yield a bumper crop of nutrient-rich soil for future use along the prairie trail. The city thanks the Coeur d’Alene Airport for its ongoing support and for making this possible by being a part of this sustainable effort.

A brochure and online maps showing the schedule around town, plus additional details on how to participate in Leaf Fest, will be released soon. Community members are asked to not place leaves on streets until after Tuesday.

Coeur d’Alene is also inviting community members interested in utilizing leaves or pine needles for mulch or landscaping to call in and coordinate pickup. For info, contact Streets and Engineering at 769-2233.