The following articles appeared in the March 2024 print edition of Open Line.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day is moving

Our spring Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day is coming up on Saturday, March 23. For return participants — please note that this event has MOVED to the brand-new Environmental Services and Public Works Complex at 4277 Wire Road. We are excited to welcome everyone to our new, easy-to-access facility!

Other than the location change, this event will go as usual. Simply pack up your materials and drop them off between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. From paints and pesticides to batteries and gasoline, we will accept most hazardous materials that are not collected during your regular trash and garbage pickup. You can also bring electronics for recycling and paper documents for secure, on-site shredding. Each household may bring up to 20 pounds of material for disposal at no charge.

Participation is limited to Auburn residents, and proof of residency can be shown by bringing a recent water bill. Those participating in the event are asked to register ahead of time. Find a list of acceptable materials and a link to register at auburnalabama.org/HHW.

Apply for the 2024 Public Safety Academy

The City’s Public Safety Academy is returning in 2024! Auburn residents are invited to take a deeper look inside all the City’s Public Safety services including Police, Fire and Emergency Management & Communications.

The academy will take place from early March to mid-April. Each session will include presentations and hands-on learning opportunities that cover a variety of topics ranging from crime scenes to fire prevention. The final session will include graduation and a presentation from the Public Safety Academy Alumni Association.

Applications will be available Feb. 5-19 at auburnalabama.org/academies. Questions? Contact Sidney Hancock at shancock@auburnalabama.org.

Spring into Parks and Rec events!

March is filled with fun things to do with Auburn Parks and Recreation. Celebrate your pup at Bark in the Park at Kiesel Park on March 16 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. This free community event is open to all dog owners and their four-legged friends. Visit a variety of educational booths, shop with local pet vendors and enjoy door prizes and dog-friendly activities. Bark in the Park will begin with Tails and Trails, a free 3K walk/run with your furry friend at Kiesel Park.

Learn about all the Auburn Parks and Recreation ceramics studio has to offer at Day in Clay on March 16 from 1-4 p.m. This free open house will take place at the brand-new ceramics studio in the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. Visit our fully equipped studio, enjoy beverages and snacks and watch demonstrations by studio members. Visitors can also experience working in clay for just $10 a person.

Celebrate Easter with two great spring events. Breakfast with the Bunny, a fun event for children 3 & under, will be held on March 23 from 8-11 a.m. at Kiesel Park. Enjoy breakfast, face painting, a petting zoo and an Easter egg hunt. Advance registration is required and is $10 per person.

The 44th-annual Easter Egg Hunt will be March 30 at a NEW LOCATION — the lower baseball fields at Duck Samford Park. The hunt is for children 10 and under and features thousands of eggs. Registration is required, and admission is $5 per child for residents and $10 per child for non-residents.

Find more information and register for these events at auburnalabama.org/parks/register.

Library events for 7-12 graders

Spring Break for Teens
All 7th-12th graders are invited to design and create a spring tote bag on Thursday, March 7, from 6-7:30 p.m. All supplies will be provided; just bring your creativity!

#TeenTrends is moving to monthly!
All 7th-12th graders are invited to join the Auburn Public Library for an afternoon of “March Madness” at #TeenTrends on Thursday, March 28, from 4:30-6 p.m. Activities include Book-etball, Design Your Own Mascot, Trivia, Treats and more!

High School Book Club
All 10th-12th graders are invited to read any book in the dystopian genre and share their book opinions on Tuesday, March 12, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. There will be snacks!

Trash Amnesty 2024

Ready to clear out the clutter in and around your home this spring? Trash Amnesty 2024 will take place March 4-29, giving you a chance to take care of spring cleaning without paying extra fees.

During Trash Amnesty 2024, collection fees will be waived for oversized yard debris and other bulky items that exceed five cubic yards (or 6 feet x 6 feet x 4 feet). Please keep these guidelines in mind when putting out materials for collection:

• We accept yard waste, appliances and bulky items for collection. Please do NOT include household garbage or hazardous waste.
• Place debris at the curb no later than 6 a.m. on your regular collection day.
• Place items at least 3 feet from mailboxes, utility boxes, poles or other fixed objects.
• Contain or bundle items so they don’t fall into the street or down storm drains.
• Limbs and other debris should be no longer than 5 feet.
• Place all items in one pile for pickup.

Because of the large volume of pickup expected during Trash Amnesty 2024, residents may experience a delay in their normal collection schedule. For questions, contact Environmental Services at (334) 501-3080 or webenvirsvc@auburnalabama.org.

Will Buechner Parkway now open

Will Buechner Parkway, named in honor of Auburn's fallen police officer, is now open to traffic. The new road connects Martin Luther King Drive and Richland Road, enhancing connectivity for those traveling in north Auburn.

Along Will Buechner Parkway, you’ll find a multi-use path designed to be shared by pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized forms of transportation. The path stretches the length of the roadway, which is just over one mile.

A temporary traffic signal has also been installed at the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive and the new road. Work is now underway to install permanent, coordinated traffic signals at the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive and Will Buechner Parkway and the intersection of Webster Road and Martin Luther King Drive.

Thanks to the Auburn community for your patience during this project! If you’re traveling in the area, please continue to use caution as everyone gets used to the new road and traffic signal.

MULTI-USE PATH ETIQUETTE

We’ve opened two new multi-use paths recently — one along Martin Luther King Drive and another along Will Buechner Parkway. What exactly is a multi-use path? These wide, paved paths are designed to be used by both those on foot and those on non-motorized forms of wheeled transportation — bikes, scooters, roller blades, etc. When these paths get busy, it’s important to follow these guidelines to keep everyone safe:

• Stay right. These paths are designed to be used for people traveling in both directions. Be aware of those around you and keep to the right side of the path unless you’re passing someone. That includes groups — stay to the right and leave space on the left for others to get by.
• Pay attention to speed. If there are others on the path, either biking or walking, slow your roll when passing.
• Yield to oncoming traffic. If you’re passing someone, make sure there isn’t any oncoming traffic before encroaching into the left side of the path.
• Pay attention to your surroundings. Make sure you can hear what’s going on around you. If you’re listening to music or a podcast while on the path, only use one earbud in the ear on the opposite side of vehicular traffic.
• Be seen. Wear reflective materials and/or make sure your bike lights are on when you’re out after dark.
• Keep pets close. Retractable leashes can become hazards on a busy path. Keep pets safe by keeping them close!
• Wheels yield to heels. If you’re on a bike, yield to pedestrians. Riding at high speeds in crowded areas is dangerous for all parties. If you’re riding at higher speeds, consider riding on the roadway instead of the path.

Boards and commission vacancies

Ready to serve? One vacancy on the Water Works Board of the City of Auburn will be announced at the Feb. 20 Auburn City Council meeting. Applications will open on Feb. 21, and an appointment will be made at the March 19 City Council meeting. Visit auburnalabama.org/boards to learn more about the Water Works Board and to apply.

Do you know where you vote?

Remember — your voting place for the 2024 county, state and federal elections may have changed and may differ from your voting place for City elections. Visit alabamavotes.gov to find your voting place and more 2024 election information.