Drop-off site closed Memorial Day; volunteers to start on pathfinder
The City’s free curbside collection for storm debris continues this week with City crews still working in the areas hardest hit by the recent tornado, Public Works Director Keith Henry said today.
The curbside service was implemented last week to help residential Solid Waste customers dispose of vegetative and non-vegetative debris caused by a tornado that swept through Barnsdall and Bartlesville on May 6.
“In response to this storm event, we have expanded our curbside service to include non-vegetative debris such as fencing, roofing and structures,” said Henry. “It’s important to note this does not include the drop-off site. Because of our permitting from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, only vegetative material can be accepted at the drop-off site west of town.”
The drop-off site, located on West Highway 60 just east of the Green Country Rodeo Arena, is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Note the site will be closed on Memorial Day, May 27.
Henry said non-vegetative materials collected during the curbside service will be taken to the Osage Landfill so this material needs to be separated from tree limbs, brush and other vegetation at the curbside collection point.
“If you are a residential Solid Waste customer of the City and you live in an area that received storm damage, you are eligible for this free collection,” he said. “Just make sure your tree limbs and brush are in one area and any other debris is in a separate area at your curb, and our guys will come and pick it up.”
Henry said tree limbs left for collection should be cut into lengths no longer than six feet and weigh less than 50 pounds.
Crews started the collection in the most heavily impacted areas — primarily the southwest and northeast portions of the city.
“I would say we’re about 60-70 percent finished with the hardest-hit areas, the southwest and northeast neighborhoods,” said Henry. “We are following the path the tornado took through town and trying to get the debris cleaned up in these areas first, then we will move to the outlying areas. We’re asking everyone to be patient with us. We know there’s a lot of debris all over town, and we are hoping to start moving to those out-lying areas within the next couple of weeks.”
Portions of Pathfinder Parkway remain closed
Henry said the volunteer group Samaritan’s Purse will begin clearing portions of Pathfinder Parkway, the City-owned trail system, beginning tomorrow.
The following portions of the running/walking trail remain closed due to damage and safety concerns:
- The section of Pathfinder from the Highway 75 trailhead (near Senor Salsa) west to Lee Lake has been closed due to hanging limbs and damaged trees.
- Closures also include the 2.5-mile portion near Bartlesville High School from Quapaw Avenue south along the Caney River and southeast to Silver Lake Road.
- The Shawnee disc golf course area is also closed until it can be further evaluated.
“Samaritan’s Purse is planning to have three crews begin work on Pathfinder tomorrow. They’ll spend two to three days beginning to help clear these areas of hanging limbs and blockages,” Henry said.
He said City crews will finish the job as soon as they can.
“We’re hoping to have the path open in a couple of weeks,” Henry said. “Until then, it’s important that everyone stay away from these areas, as they are not safe, and they won’t be until all of the broken limbs are cleared away from the path.”