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Fall Into Fun

Fall scene

Your guide to enjoying a fun, healthy, and safe fall season! Find resources and helpful information from the City of Milwaukee.


Enjoy the Autumn Air. 

Get outdoors and explore the city. Beat the chill with housing and weatherization resources, fall leaves, composting tips, and trick-or-treat.

Stay Healthy. 

Milwaukee offers healthy resources for all ages. Explore back to school resources, flu immunizations, and free mental health resources. 

Stay Safe. 

Avoid dangerous situations. Take precaution with fire prevetion safety tips, don't forget daylight savings time, and learn more about Domestic Violence Awareness Month resources. 

Getting OutdoorsThe Beerline trail with signage and a pedestrian resting area.

Get outdoors, go exercise, and explore the city. Enjoy the crisp fall weather by walking, biking or hiking with the following resources: 

Use the Interactive Bike Map to find biking directions using only streets that are comfortable to bike 

Explore Milwaukee area trails like the Beerline, KK River, and Oak Leaf Trail 

Cut Costs with Energy Upgrades

The Milwaukee Energy Efficiency Program offers a low-interest loan up to $15,000 for eligible home improvements to make energy-saving upgrades such as insulation, air sealing, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters, air conditioners, and windows. Save money wasted on high energy bills and put them into energy-saving home improvements. omeowners who have had their home inspected, insulated, and air sealed through Me2 have averaged a 30% reduction in energy use.

Family outside

Get Help With Your Energy Bill

Milwaukee County

The Milwaukee County Energy Assistance Program provides qualified Milwaukee County residents with a one-time, annual payment toward heating and electric bills.

View Service Flyer 
 



Social Development Commission

Apply for energy assistance and determine whether you are eligible for the SDC's Weatherization Assistance Program for basic weatherization services to reduce your home heating bills and help you save energy.

Social Development Commission

Get Connected With Housing Help

The City of Milwaukee Housing Help Tool offers a variety of resources and incentive programs to help current homeowners, home buyers, investors and non-profit organizations. 

Select options to filter available resources, learn more about city houses and properties available for sale, homebuyer counseling, grants, loan programs, and other incentives. 

 

Housing Help web tool. One click to resources. Homeowners, Home buyers, Investors/non-profit

Shelter from the Cold

Please know there are services available to anyone seeking a warm and safe place to shelter as the weather turns colder. Individuals should call 2-1-1 for information and support. As the lead agency for the Milwaukee Continuum of Care, the City of Milwaukee partners with Community Advocates, the Milwaukee County Housing Division, Pathfinders and Outreach Community Health Centers to proactively shelter individuals from the cold.

Learn more about IMPACT 2-1-1, a central access point for people in need.

photo of leaves set out properly

Fall Leaf Collection

City of Milwaukee residents may rake leaves into the street from October 1 through November 15. 

No special request for leaf collection is necessary from Oct. 1st – Nov. 15th. Leaf collection operations cycle through the city systematically. Once leaf rake out ends on Nov 15, the Department of Public Works makes one final collection sweep across the City. To be collected, ensure that leaves have been raked out by Nov. 15.

At all other times of the year, leaves must be mulched on the property or taken to a Drop Off Center.

Brush collection can also be requested from April-November.

Fnd More Collection Details

Green Tips:

ECO tip to composting: An alternative to this service is leaf mulching, or shredding leaves with a lawn mower to allow the nutrients to return right to the soil.

ECO pollution tip: Fallen leaves are loaded with nitrogen and phosphorous, natural fertilizer that can cause water pollution that harms people and animals. Help prevent pollution by properly managing yard waste. Also, be sure leaves left near the road do not block storm drains and prevent the flow of water.

Healthy Resources for Parents and Families

View resources from Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) including routine childhood vaccinations, healthcare & dental resources, resources for health-related conditions, staying healthy and active, healthy social behavior, mental health resources, resources on substance use, and support and self-care resources for families and guardians.

Flu Season

While seasonal influenza (flu) viruses are detected year-round in the United States, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter. Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.

The most important step in protecting yourself and those around you from the flu is to get your flu shot. Everyone 6 months and older should get an annual flu vaccine, ideally by the end of October.

Flu Shot: 

Milwaukee Health Department clinics will have flu vaccines available at:

Northwest Health Center (7630 W. Mill Rd.)

  • Wednesday:s 3 - 6 p.m.
  • Fridays: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Southside Health Center (1639 S. 23rd St.)

  • Mondays: 3 - 6 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Free Mental Health Resources

World Mental Health Day is October 10

  • Mental Health Emergency Center: The Mental Health Emergency Center (MHEC) is the new county-wide psychiatric Emergency Department offering 24/7/365 crisis mental health assessment, stabilization, treatment, and transition care management for children, adolescents and adults. 1525 N. 12th Street, Milwaukee WI 53205. Call 414-966-3030.
     
  • Access Clinics: Serves uninsured Milwaukee County residents. Provides mental health assessments, medications and therapy referrals. Clients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis, and there may be an extended wait time. Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Walk-in hours for initial assessment: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
    • Access Clinic South: 1635 W. National Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53204. Call 414-257-7900.
    • Access Clinic East: 210 W. Capitol Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53212. Call 414-257-7665.
  • NAMI National Alliance on Mental Illness – Southeast Wisconsin: Provides information and referrals for appropriate resources, support groups and advocacy services related to mental health. Monday to Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Call 414-344-0447.
     
  • Pathfinders: Provides comprehensive mental health care and support for children, teens and young adults who cannot afford services elsewhere. Also provides specific counseling for young victims of sexual abuse. Call for more information or to schedule an appointment. A sliding fee scale is available. 4200 N. Holton Street - Suite 400. Call 414-964-2565.
     
  • Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center: Free and confidential counseling services with a focus on runaways, homeless and other youth and their families. Provides 24/7 crisis hotline, family and parent counseling, individual and group counseling, referrals and emergency shelter for runaways and youths in crisis. 2030 W. National Ave. call 414-647-8200.
     
  • Warmline: Peer-run support line for those with mental illness. This is not a crisis line. Call 414 777-4729.

City of Milwaukee Trick-or-Treat

Sunday, October 29
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

 

View Halloween Safety Tips

Organizing a Trick-or-Treat Event in Your Neighborhood

Many neighborhood groups and block clubs are organizing their own Trick-or-Treat event in their neighborhoods. The Department of Public Works Special Events Office has received several requests to block off side streets for neighborhood sponsored events. Block party permits require the signatures of neighbors on the block to make sure they do not object to the street being blocked during the time of the event and they should be submitted 30 days in advance. Please visit Special Events & Permits or call 414-286-3915.  

Fire Prevention Safety Tips

Change smoke detector batteries

  • Get in the habit of changing the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors every fall when changing the clocks for Daylight Savings Time.
  • It’s also a good idea to make it a habit to verify all fire extinguishers are fully charged and in working order when you adjust the clocks each season.

Watch where you display decorations

  • Be mindful that fall decorations do not block exits and be mindful of where decorations are displayed. Fall decorations can interfere with the fire alarm system if hung from sprinkler heads for example. This blocks the nozzles and prevents them from properly working.
  • Fog machines are another sometimes dangerous decoration that can cause smoke detectors to go off. Never take down a smoke detector, even for just a short time during a Halloween party. Relocate the machine instead.

Use battery-powered candles

  • The NFPA reports decorations are the first thing to ignite in 900 reported home fires each year. Two of every five of these fires were started by a candle.
  • Placing candles in pumpkins poses serious fire hazards. Many people also make small paper bag lanterns to line their driveway or set in a window. Consider using battery-powered candles instead of the real thing.

Healthy Resources for Parents and Families

View resources from Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) including routine childhood vaccinations, healthcare & dental resources, resources for health-related conditions, staying healthy and active, healthy social behavior, mental health resources, resources on substance use, and support and self-care resources for families and guardians.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) 

This month brings together advocates from across the nation together to end domestic violence.

Domestic violence (DV) and/or intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pattern of behaviors used by one’s partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. DV/IPV can happen to anyone at any point in a relationship – it is not bound by gender identity, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or any other form of identity. While this holds true, some individuals are impacted at a disproportionate rate such as women and BIPOC individuals. Domestic and intimate partner violence ranges a large set of behaviors that physically, mentally, or emotionally cause harm and fear making the affected individual behave differently and in ways that they do not want.

Office of Community Wellness and Safety

The City of Milwaukee’s Office of Community Wellness and Sfaety's core mission is to reduce violence in Milwaukee. OCWS's aim is to stop violence before it starts. Community-wide prevention is the most effective, long-term solution to violence. OCWS brings together agencies, experts, and community resources on efforts that reduce many forms of violence including domestic violence, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.

Learn more about the OCSW's approach and definitions for domestic violence. 

View Domestic Violence Resources 

Daylight Savings Time

Don’t forget! Daylight Saving Time ends the first Sunday in November.

On Sunday, November 5, turn your clocks back one hour.

As the saying goes: “Spring forward, fall back.”

Hands raised to register to vote

Voting Resources

2024 Upcoming Election Dates:

  • Spring Primary - Tuesday, February 20
  • Spring Election - Tuesday, April 2
  • Fall Primary - Tuesday, August 13
  • General Election - Tuesday, November 5

Early Voting

Check the schedule to see when and where you can cast your vote early. 

Where Do I Vote/Sample Ballot

Enter your address to find your Election Day polling location and view your sample ballot and elected officials.

Register to Vote

Follow one of these steps to register to vote today!

Thanksgiving Holiday Hours

A reminder that most City of Milwaukee offices are closed for the holiday on Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 24, 2023.

Request City services online, use the MKEmobile app or call 414-286-CITY.  

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