Winter Weather Preparation
Snow Removal Procedures
The City of College Park’s priority during a snow event is public safety. Our goal is to clear snow and ice as quickly and efficiently as possible, restoring safe travel for emergency crews, motorists, and pedestrians. Snow and ice removal are considered an emergency operation and takes precedence over other Public Works tasks.
The snow plan will go into effect upon the order of the City Manager or the Director of Public Works. The plan consists of an Alert Phase and an Operation Phase. The alert phase may include pre-treating designated streets with salt brine to prevent snow and ice adhesion to the road surface. Snow or icy precipitation, which requires roadway treatment, will be considered an emergency under the operational phase.
These steps will be followed during a snow emergency:
- Snow removal equipment will be dispatched to predetermined routes when snow or ice is imminent. Salting operations may begin at the onset of precipitation, depending on pavement temperature and the forecast
- Snow removal routes are divided into primary and secondary streets. Primary streets will be treated and/or cleared first, followed by secondary streets.
- First application of salt will be ordered by the Director or Assistant Director. Plowing operations will commence when there is an accumulated amount of snow or slush on the roadway.
- Initially, one lane will be plowed on all streets followed by widening of the plowed lane. All streets will be plowed curb to curb, as conditions allow.
- City parking lots will be plowed by pickup trucks equipped with plows and salt spreaders.
Be prepared for winter. Visit our website for more information on the steps the City takes when there is a wintery mix in the forecast.
Public Works crews are staffed around the clock during snow emergencies to clear the 51 road miles of City streets. Updates will be posted on the City’s website, all City social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).
Public Works crews plow and salt City streets and City parking lots to clear snow and ice. Things you can do to help include:
- Move parked cars off the street so the snow plows can clear snow to the curb.
- If off-street parking is not available during predicted snowstorms, park on the EVEN side of the road (EXCEPTION: if your address is odd-numbered and the area across from your house is undeveloped, park on the odd side of the street)
- The City is not responsible for clearing snow from driveways or driveway aprons - this is the resident's responsibility. If you begin to remove snow before the trucks are finished, be mindful that your driveway may need to be cleared more than once.
- After the snowplows have finished cleaning your street, clear snow and ice from the sidewalks, storm drains and fire hydrants in front of your residence.
- Have patience: crews work around the clock during snow emergencies to clear the streets. Although your street may not be plowed as quickly as you would like, our crews will make their way to you. Your patience is appreciated during these times.
- Always plan to set your refuse and recycling carts out for your regularly scheduled day during snow events. Refuse and recycling collections may occur later in the day than normal, or they could be delayed a day.
![](https://assets.foleon.com/eu-west-2/uploads-7e3kk3/34074/shoveldirveway.c6b5c56c9a7e.jpg?)
Property owners, occupants and merchants are reminded of the City requirement to remove accumulated snow and ice from all walkways, driveways, parking lots and other areas used by pedestrians or automobiles. The owner or occupant of any property that abuts the sidewalk must clean public sidewalks of ice, sleet and snow for their full width. It is required that snow and ice be removed within the first 24 hours after the winter weather event ends. These requirements are listed under City Code Section 141-5, and County Code 23-150.
Ensuring that public sidewalks are cleared of snow and ice is an important safety and accessibility consideration for pedestrians. It is especially important for students who walk to school, senior citizens, young children, and people with accessibility needs.
Though City code enforcement officers may not cite all such violations immediately after a storm, failure to comply with this regulation in a timely manner could be used as evidence by anyone injured in a fall on or adjacent to your property if you are sued for such injuries.
Be prepared! Keep snow shovels and salt ready for the next storm, and plan to have help available if necessary to make your walkway safe as soon as the snow stops falling.
For more information about the City’s Guide to Winter Weather, please visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/snow.
Please visit the Public Works webpage, for information related to snow removal operations at https://www.collegeparkmd.gov/snow. For more information call 240-487-3590 or email publicworks@collegeparkmd.gov.
Check the status of City snow plows during a winter emergency at https://citizeninsights.geotab.com/#/collegeparkmd
![](https://assets.foleon.com/eu-west-2/uploads-7e3kk3/34074/picture1.fac46fa82524.png?)
Cold Weather Preparation
Did you know that wearing several warm, loose-fitting layers of clothing is better for retaining warmth than one heavy layer? Learn more about how to keep warm, stay safe during a winter storm, and what to do if you suspect frostbite and hypothermia at https://mdem.maryland.gov/Pages/Winter-Storms.aspx
With the first day of Winter officially here (and a very cold weather outlook ahead for this weekend), here are some tips from WSSC on how to prepare your home's pipes for cold winter weather: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E2NJ-LdqDI
![](https://assets.foleon.com/eu-west-2/uploads-7e3kk3/34074/winter-dress-infographic.edaf276da10e.jpg?)