City of Regina begins fall leaf clean up

The trees are getting bare in Regina and that means it’s time for the city’s fall leaf pickup program.

Crews have begun to clear catch basins in certain neighbourhoods: the Crescents, Cathedral, Lakeview and around the Regina General Hospital. The pickup is expected to last roughly two weeks in these areas alone, finishing up on Oct. 26 with the help of ideal weather.

“Historically, the program was set up for the older neighbourhoods with more mature trees,” reasoned the City of Regina’s Helene Henning-Hill.

Leaves are being dislodged now before the snow falls and sticks.

She said more residents would like the same type of service in other areas of the city.

“Each year we do get a lot of requests from other neighbourhoods. We are evaluating the program whether or not we want to expand it but there’s a cost to expanding a program.”

 While Henning-Hill encourages people to go out and clear their own catch basins, she does say the city has received pushback from some residents as they believe clearing leaves in this manner should strictly be carried out by city crews.

Street signs will be placed in the four neighbourhoods where the pickup is happening. Parking will be restricted and for those who do not move their vehicles, they’ll be given a $100 ticket and towed.