Would have posted this earlier had I seen the thread...
Wood chips are available for free at the Independence, MO trash depot, located on Vista Ave., just off Truman Rd., near the animal shelter. You may have to have a resident (myself, for example) accompany you, and I think the yard is only open to the public on the 2nd Saturday of the month, which happens to be tomorrow (3/14). I am going there in the morning to dump a truckload of household refuse and scrap building material, so if anyone wants to meet me there, gimme a call. I don't know if I'll be able to haul a load to Rosie (I might have other crap going on tomorrow), so have your own truck or trailer just to be sure.