City Expands Successful Free Mulch Give-Away

Pasadena’s Department of Public Works is setting up another pick-up location for its free Mulch Give-Away Program starting this month due a rising demand.

Beginning on June 19, Robinson Park located at 1081 North Fair Oaks Avenue will open its south parking lot for the program. This is now in addition to the ongoing program at Victoria Park on 2575 East Paloma St.

Assistant City Manager Julie A. Gutierrez reported in a memo to City Manager Michael Beck that the program, which provides residents the opportunity to pick up free mulch for landscaping and gardening purposes, “has been so successful that demand often exceeds the material that is available.”

“Mulch does more than help your garden grow! Mulch helps to control weeds, retains moisture in the soil and adds a finishing touch to garden landscapes,” Gutierrez said in announcing the expansion of the program. “By mulching and re-purposing tree trimmings from Pasadena street trees, we divert material from our landfill and reduce carbon emissions from truck trips to the landfill.”

Dates for the Robinson Park program are June 19, July 31, August 28, September 25 and October 23, 2015. Residents will have access to free mulch during park hours from 6:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m. or while supplies last.

Victoria Park’s mulch pick-up point at the southeast corner of the parking lot will be open on July 17, August 14, September 11 and October 9, from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

More information about the Mulch Give-Away Program is available on this website, http://www.cityofpasadena.net/PublicWorks/mulchrecycling, which includes a list of dates and the addresses of the two distribution areas. The Pasadena Citizen Service Center at (626) 744-7311 may also provide information.

Interested residents are advised to bring a shovel, containers, gloves and eye protection to take advantage of the program.