Keene Fall Leaf Pickup Set to Start Nov. 9

Pickup crews are scheduled to operate from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day as they move through the route list.

The City of Keene will launch its 2026 fall leaf collection program on Nov. 9, with crews beginning work on the first streets listed in the city schedule.

Residents are asked to place loose leaves and pine needles at the edge of their property by 6 a.m. on the day their street is scheduled to begin service. That date signals the start of collection for that area, although it does not mean trucks will come through that same day.

Pickup crews are scheduled to operate from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day as they move through the route list. People may keep adding leaves until their street has been serviced, but the city says a return visit is not assured.

The program accepts only leaves and pine needles, and the city is urging residents not to include branches, brush or other yard waste. Debris other than leaves can interfere with equipment and slow the work.

To reduce safety risks and keep drainage systems clear, the city is also asking residents to avoid piling leaves in the roadway and to leave them in the grass strip between the sidewalk and the curb. Where sidewalks are not present, leaves should be placed at the property edge. Leaves must remain unbagged.

Storm drains should be kept clear as well, especially those marked with the yellow fish stencil on the pavement. Blocking drains with leaves can contribute to flooding and other hazards.

Once a street has been collected and nearby storm drains have been cleaned, residents should not place additional leaves at the curb.

Those who miss their assigned pickup, or who prefer to haul the material themselves, may bring leaves to the Keene Recycling Center/Transfer Station at 55 Old Summit Road, off Route 12 North, at no cost. The facility is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Streets listed as N/A on the schedule are not part of the program. The city says these are usually private roads or locations without municipal drainage systems. Residents can check the 2026 leaf collection schedule to find their street’s pickup date.