09/27/2026
🍂 Fall is in the Air… and So Are Some Unexpected Surprises 🎃
As the leaves start to fall and spooky season rolls in, we sometimes see mysterious mounds of weeds & leaves, piles of cut tree branches and even the occasional mattress may suddenly appear in our parks.
While they might not seem scary at first glance, these piles can actually cause serious problems. Yard waste left in parks can spread invasive plants and weeds, smother native vegetation, and take a long time to break down. What seems like a harmless pile can end up damaging the natural balance of the park.
Dumping yard waste and handling it the wrong way is one of the easiest ways for invasive species to spread. Seeds, roots, and fragments of invasive plants like English ivy, Japanese knotweed, or garlic mustard can hitch a ride in leaf piles or branch clippings.
Once dumped, they can quickly take root and spread - choking out native plants, reducing habitat for wildlife, and changing the soil chemistry. Even well-meaning clean-up efforts can make things worse if invasive material is unknowingly moved from one place to another.
Plus, it takes time and resources for park staff to remove these piles - time that could be better spent improving and caring for our shared green spaces.
Let’s keep our parks clean and healthy for everyone.
So – what should you do with your leaves, weeds, brush, or old mattress?
You can use the Streets Division drop-off sites for your yard waste, brush, and large bulky items. All of these things, including the mattresses, are free to drop-off for every City of Madison resident. 🌿
•East: 4602 Sycamore Ave
•West: 402 South Point Rd
•Central: 1504 Quann-Olin Parkway
Or you can use curbside pickup chances for your yard waste or brush.
Check out Streets website for set-out dates and more:
https://www.cityofmadison.com/streets/brush-yard-waste
And if you need a mattress, or another large item picked up from your home, you can schedule that pickup at www.cityofmadison.com/LargeItem.
