COEUR d'ALENE — The city of Coeur d'Alene recently postponed its annual Leaf Fest, but that doesn't mean it's not trying to clean up all those leaves scattered around out there.

This week, crews started sweeping streets on the north end of town that were snow-free. Thursday, it moved operations to areas south of Harrison. Giant leaf piles lined the center of Seventh Street in the late morning.

Todd Feusier, director of the Street and Engineering Department, said Thursday they hope to remove as many leaves as possible before the snow flies again.

He said there are many large leaf piles throughout the city that could cause problems for the snow plows. The goal is to clear debris already in the streets.

"We're trying to make it safer, easier for when snow gets here," Feusier said.

The sight of city trucks and front-end loaders clearing streets following last week's announcement that Leaf Fest was postponed caught some by surprise.

"So no announcement that leaf pickup is commencing other than the reader boards that were changed after 2 p.m. today?" wrote Daniel Bowman.

The city said it postponed Leaf Fest due to snow and ice in streets, a forecast of more snow, and leaves still in trees.

"The sweeping equipment will not be able to operate efficiently in the current conditions," a press release said.

Feusier said Leaf Fest could happen late winter or early spring.

"If at a later date we feel we can do it, we will," Feusier said.

Paul Stoll, who lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, was pleased with the city's efforts Thursday that included about 25 employees from the Street and Engineering Department and Parks Department.

"Today we watched our dedicated City workers, in the frigid morning, pull our leaves into the street so they could be scooped up," he wrote. "What wonderful service, and so very helpful! Thank you!"

The postponement of Leaf Fest was criticized by some residents.

"It’s going to be a disaster. I get that it is a mess now, but frozen pile of leaves on the street is going to be a disaster this winter when it really snows," wrote Jessica Cook Stephens in a post on the city's Facebook site. "What about snowplows? Roads are going to be a mess. I mean, get what you can now. And save any extra cleanup for spring. All north side homes are fine. Streets are dry there."

Another urged the city to "Get your butts out there and do your job."

"We who have five giant trees and have been working on this for a week," wrote Susan Coffland Kirkpatrick, adding, "This is not OK."

City officials said if residents haven't pushed leaves into streets, don't. Once crews sweep a neighborhood, they won't be back. Residents are instead encouraged to take leaves to the Ramsey Road transfer station.

If conditions hold, crews will try for south of Sherman Avenue today.

"We're doing the best we can," Feusier said.