10/16/2026
9 reasons why you should not dump yard waste in urban parks and natural areas:
✅Violates municipal bylaws
✅Spreads invasive plants, pests and diseases
✅Introduces non-native plants into natural areas
✅Smothers native vegetation and damages wildlife habitat
✅Pollutes waterways with nutrients and sediment
✅Attracts rodents and other unwanted wildlife
✅Creates fire hazards when it dries out
✅Blocks drainage ditches and culverts
✅Looks unsightly and degrades parks, trails and natural areas
Put yard waste out in designated bags for the city to collect. Exception: Seal invasive plant material in black plastic bags, set in the sun for two weeks, then put in the trash.