Mulch, Compost Delivery Program Halted in University Park

A plan to bring inexpensive wood mulch and compost to University Park residents’ doorsteps was halted Tuesday afternoon after officials realized there had been a miscommunication with would-be provider College Park.

Under the terms of the program, College Park Department of Public Works employees were to deliver mulch and compost to University Park residents who requested it through the town’s website. But confusion over how much the products would cost led University Park Director of Public Works Mickey Beall to terminate the program just as it was beginning.

“There was a misunderstanding on my part,” he said. “As a result, we were offering materials from College Park at a price that’s not available to the public and that College Park didn’t agree to.” 

Reached by phone on Tuesday afternoon, Brenda Alexander, College Park’s deputy director of Public Works and city horticulturist, said she was unaware of the program and stated that the city would not sell the products at prices as low as the ones advertized ($6.50 per cubic yard for wood mulch and $10 per cubic yard for SmartLeaf compost).

Beall and College Park Director of Public Works Robert Stumpff later spoke on the phone and decided to drop the arrangement.

“We came to a mutual understanding that I had made a mistake, and I would do everything I could to rectify it,” Beall said.

In December, Ward 4 Councilman Len Carey asked Beall to look into developing a partnership with College Park for mulch and compost. Beall announced at last week's town council meeting that the delivery program was about to begin.

Just one University Park resident had signed up for the service before it was discontinued. Those wishing to buy wood mulch or SmartLeaf compost directly from the City of College Park can still do so here.