Many of the sidewalks in my neighborhood have been cleared of last weekend’s snow — compliments of the warmer temperatures.
Maybe it’s getting another substantial snowfall at the end of a very long winter, but it seems many folks opted out of shoveling or blowing this time round.
Whether it’s because my husband broke his leg on snow-covered ice (as did at least three other DGers I’ve heard about) or because I walk for exercise or because so many kids in my neighborhood hoof it to and from school, but I’ve been particularly attuned to the hazards and inconveniences of snow-clogged sidewalks this season.
The village doesn’t require residents to remove snow from their sidewalks, although it “encourages” them to do so.
Unfortunately, encouragement doesn’t get the job done nearly as well as a few days of sun and warm temperatures.
It has always struck me as inconsistent and backward that the Village requires residents to mow their lawns but not clear their sidewalks.
It is especially troublesome that businesses such as those along Ogden Avenue have no responsibility to keep sidewalks clear of snow.
Good Points John, Maybe our new Village Manager can take those observastions under consideration along with PW department. I opted out of firing up the blower this last round due to having to buy more gas for it and with the season almost over why waste the gas and oil for just one last shot. Plus I needed the exercise so I shoveled instead.
I’m hurt, Elaine. Our neighbors usually get the sidewalks cleared quickly–I’ve even had pedestrians passing by compliment our block on how clear our sidewalks usually are! It’s rare that our sidewalks are cleared by sun and warmth; it’s usually muscle and machine.
Of course, I’m sure you meant snow-clogged sidewalks on OTHER blocks….
Right on, Elaine.
The Village should be more proactive in getting property
owners to clear sidewalks of snow and not to block sidewalks and parkway along busy streets like Ogden Avenue with parking lot and driveway snow in the Tif
District.
Darien has a City sponsored program to plow all sidewalks along its busy commercial streets, like 75th
Street, Plainfield Road, and Cass Avenue and removing
snow from crosswalks at intersections. It was extremely
Citizens and business friendly this long and difficult Winter 2008/09.
The Downers Grove Watch has a posting on their WEB
Site: downersgrovewatch.org calling attention to their
efforts to encourage the Village to enforce Ordinance 19.21,1 relative to keeping sidewalks free of piled snow.
Downers Grove has a long way to go to get its sidewalks
to be Resident/user friendly. Ordinance 19.21.1 addresses keeping sidewalks free from snow and piling
driveway and parking lot snow in commercial areas, but
it is not enforced,
Hopefully, Citizens, Businesses and the Village of DG
will be proactive in addressing this sidewalk snow concern for next winter season, since Spring is just around the corner.
Bill Wrobel
Most sidewalks are on village property, so homeowners are doing people a favor by clearing them.