Category: Snow Page 1 of 2

Our Department of Public Works and City contractor crews are continuing their work across College Park to widen travel lanes and intersections, treat roadways, and open up sidewalks and bike lanes as much as possible. This hasn’t been an easy cleanup. With single-digit temperatures, much of the snow and ice has frozen into what crews jokingly (but accurately!) call “snowcrete.” These hard, icy piles sometimes require specialized heavy equipment, which is why you may see loaders and Bobcats operating in different parts of the City.

The good news: all City streets are passable. That said, some travel lanes may still feel narrow in spots, so please use extra caution when driving, walking, or biking.

A Quick Reminder About Sidewalks

City Code requires residents and businesses to clear snow and ice from sidewalks in front of their properties. The City only clears sidewalks that do not abut private property. Our Code Enforcement team is actively enforcing these requirements and taking appropriate action where sidewalks have not been cleared.

About Snow Near Driveways and Sidewalks

We’ve heard concerns from residents about snow being pushed toward driveways and sidewalks. Crews understand the frustration. To clear streets efficiently and safely, plows must be angled to the right side of the roadway, especially during larger storms. When we receive more than six inches of snow, this can create snow banks along the curb line. Because streets are treated and plowed multiple times to widen lanes, driveways and sidewalks may be temporarily blocked more than once.

How to Report Snow and Ice Issues

The fastest and easiest way to report a concern is through College Park Connect:

• Visit collegeparkmd.gov/tellus

• Or use the College Park Connect mobile app

You can even upload a photo to help staff determine what equipment is needed. Requests are actively monitored, and crews are dispatched to specific locations as quickly as possible.

Please choose the right category when submitting a request:

• “Snow/Ice Removal on Roadways” for City-maintained streets

• “Snow/Ice on Sidewalks” for hazardous sidewalks

If the issue is on a County-maintained road (such as Cherry Hill Road or Metzerott Road), contact PGC 311:

• Call 301-883-4748

• Visit pgc311.com

• Or use the PGC 311 mobile app

For State-maintained roads (including Route 1, Route 193, Greenbelt Road, or Campus Drive/River Road), please contact MDOT SHA:

• Call 410-582-5650

• Or submit a request at mdotsha.my.salesforce-sites.com/customercare

Thank you for your patience, cooperation, and neighborly spirit as crews continue working through these challenging conditions. Stay safe and warm!

Our Public Works crews have been working tirelessly around the clock to keep College Park streets as safe and passable as possible during this winter storm. The ongoing sleet has created especially challenging conditions, making plowing and treatment more difficult than a typical snow event. Even so, nearly all City streets have been plowed within the past four hours.

Residents can check when their street was last plowed by visiting this live map:
👉 https://citizeninsights.geotab.com/#/collegeparkmd

As a reminder, residents and businesses are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property within 24 hours after a winter weather event ends. Keeping sidewalks clear is critical for pedestrian safety, especially for seniors, people with disabilities, and those who rely on mobility devices.

If you know a senior or a resident with a disability who needs help with snow removal, assistance is available through Neighbors Helping Neighbors–College Park. This volunteer-based 501(c)(3) organization supports aging and disabled College Park residents with everyday tasks, including snow removal. Seniors in need of assistance can request service by calling 301-222-3434. New members may sign up at the time they make a request. NHN is currently experiencing a shortage of volunteers, so if you are able to help a neighbor in need, please consider calling to volunteer.

Residents can report issues such as icy sidewalks, unsafe conditions, or other concerns through www.collegeparkmd.gov/tellus or via the College Park Connect mobile app.

Finally, please note that City offices are closed tomorrow, and trash and recycling collection have been moved forward by one day.

Thank you to our Public Works crews for their dedication, and thank you to our residents for your patience, cooperation, and care for one another during this storm.

The National Weather Service is forecasting a significant winter storm for our region, with heavy snow and sleet beginning Saturday, January 24, and continuing through the weekend. Current projections suggest more than 10 inches of snow, which could create hazardous travel conditions and impact City services. Now is the time to prepare and help keep our community safe.

Prepare Ahead of the Storm

Please take a few steps now to get ready:

Park cars in driveways if possible, or as close to the curb as you can by Friday to help snowplows clear streets efficiently. Have snow shovels and ice melt on hand to treat sidewalks and driveways. Stay tuned for updates via City channels, social media, and email alerts at www.collegeparkmd.gov/connect. Sign up for text alerts: text “CPALERTS” to 38276 for emergency alerts, or “COLLEGE PARK” to 38276 for general updates. Visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/alerts and www.collegeparkmd.gov/snow for the latest information and winter tips.

Help City Snow Plows Do Their Job

With heavy snowfall expected, keeping streets clear is critical. Please park off-street whenever possible before the storm begins. If you don’t have a driveway, park as close to the curb as you can. And don’t forget: residents and businesses must clear all sidewalks on their property within 24 hours after the snow event ends.

Changes to Trash & Recycling Collection

For the safety of our solid waste crews, there will be no collections on Monday, January 26. Services will shift one day later that week:

Monday → Tuesday, January 27 Tuesday → Wednesday, January 28 Wednesday → Thursday, January 29

Special brush and bulky item collections will only be scheduled for Friday, January 30. To schedule, call 240-487-3590 or email publicworks@collegeparkmd.gov before placing items at the curb.

Walk (and Drive) With Care

Snow, sleet, and freezing temperatures mean icy and slippery sidewalks and driveways. Limit travel if you can, take your time when walking, and be extra cautious on untreated surfaces.

Winter Ready: Safety Tips

To help you prepare and stay safe:

Winterize your home with insulation and weather stripping; protect pipes with insulation or heat tape. Disconnect outdoor hoses and cover exterior faucets. Keep your home heated to at least 55°F. Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Stock up on essentials in case of power outages (food, water, medications, batteries, pet supplies). If you must go outside, dress in layers and cover exposed skin; watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Check on neighbors—especially seniors and those who may need extra help. Know where to go if your home becomes too cold; Prince George’s County has warming centers available.

Shoveling Smart

Avoid overexertion to reduce the risk of heart attack—take breaks and pace yourself. Need help? Neighbors Helping Neighbors–College Park, a local volunteer organization, assists aging and disabled residents with tasks like snow shoveling. Call 301-222-3434 or visit nhn-cp.org to request help or volunteer. Shovel snow to the right (facing the street) to prevent it from being pushed back onto the roadway. Work with neighbors to clear storm drains and fire hydrants—this helps prevent flooding and speeds emergency response.

The City of College Park will continue to monitor the storm and share updates as conditions evolve. Please stay safe, look out for one another, and thank you for doing your part to help our community weather the storm. ❄️

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for our area beginning at midnight tonight through 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 14, with up to two inches of snow forecasted. As always, the City of College Park is prepared to respond quickly and safely.

Our Top Priority: Public Safety

During snow events, public safety comes first. The City’s Department of Public Works (DPW) is staffed around the clock during snow emergencies to clear 55 miles of City streets, along with sidewalks, bus stops, crosswalks, and key pedestrian routes.

Snow and ice removal are considered emergency operations and take precedence over other Public Works activities. Our goal is to restore safe travel as quickly and efficiently as possible for emergency crews, motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.

How the City’s Snow Plan Works

The City’s snow plan goes into effect upon the order of the City Manager or the Director of Public Works and includes two phases:

Alert Phase

• Crews may pre-treat designated streets with salt brine to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the pavement.

Operation Phase

• Snow or icy precipitation requiring roadway treatment is considered an emergency.
• Crews are dispatched to predetermined routes.
• Salting typically begins at the onset of precipitation, depending on pavement temperature and forecasts.
• Plowing begins once snow or slush accumulates.
• Initially, one lane is plowed on all streets, followed by widening as conditions allow.
• Streets are plowed curb-to-curb as weather and safety permit.
• Crews also clear sidewalks, bus stops, RRFB crosswalks, and the Trolley Trail.
• Snow and ice removal follows established priorities throughout the City.

How Residents Can Help

You can help crews do their jobs more efficiently by taking a few important steps:

• Move parked cars off the street whenever possible so plows can clear snow to the curb.
• If off-street parking isn’t available, park as close to the curb as possible.
• Be patient with driveway entrances. Snow may accumulate during plowing as crews make multiple passes. The best way to reduce extra shoveling is to wait until plowing is complete before clearing driveway entrances.
• When shoveling, pile snow to the right side of your driveway (facing the street).
• Do not shovel snow back into the street after it has been plowed.
• After plowing is complete, please clear sidewalks, storm drains, and fire hydrants in front of your property.
• Above all, have patience. Crews work around the clock and will reach every street.

Trash & Recycling During Snow Events

Please continue to set out refuse and recycling carts on your regularly scheduled collection day. Collections may occur later than usual or be delayed by a day depending on conditions.

Stay Informed

Updates will be shared on the City’s website and on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram.
You can also receive text alerts by texting CPALERTS to 38276.

Cold Weather Reminder: Water Main Breaks

As temperatures drop, the risk of water main breaks increases. If you notice one, please report it immediately to WSSC Water at 301-206-4002 and have the exact address available when you call.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we work to keep College Park safe during winter weather. Stay warm and stay safe.

Thanks to our City Staff for rolling out this excellent service recently. Residents can now check the snow progress on the City roadways on this interactive map.

New Citizen link for College Park snow progress map.

The program allows citizens to zoom in and/or out as well as search for a specific road name. As roadways are initially treated/plowed, the roadway(s) will be shaded green.

I just drove around the neighborhood (in north College Park) and found the streets are very clean. Thanks to our Public Works crews for doing a great job preparing for and executing our snow plan. DPW crews treated City streets on Friday with salt brine and started very early this morning treating and monitoring streets. We will have an overnight crew monitoring for ice and then staff back early tomorrow morning.

Here is the latest forecast. Hope this is helpful:
Tonight
Snow before 9pm, then snow, possibly mixed with freezing rain between 9pm and 11pm, then rain, possibly mixed with freezing rain after 11pm. Low around 32. Northeast wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
Monday
Rain and freezing rain, possibly mixed with sleet before noon, then rain and snow between noon and 2pm, then snow likely after 2pm. High near 34. North wind 11 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Monday Night
Snow likely before 8pm, then snow likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain between 8pm and 11pm, then snow likely after 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 30. North wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

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. Industrial Snow Removal is considered an emergency operation and takes precedence over other Public Works tasks.

The snow management 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 usually begin at the onset of precipitation, depending on pavement temperature and the forecast.
• First application of salt will be ordered by the Director or Assistant Director of Public Works. 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.
• Designated crews will be dispatched to clear sidewalks, bus stops, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beach (RRFB) cross walks, and the Trolley Trail locations throughout the City.
• Snow and ice clearing operations will be carried out in accordance with established priorities as circumstances permit.

Updates

The Department of Public Works is staffed around the clock during snow events.

Updates will be posted on the City’s website (www.collegeparkmd.gov), all City social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) and emailed (sign up at www.collegeparkmd.gov/cpconnect).

You can also contact the Department of Public Works for more information by phone at 240-487-3590 or email publicworks@collegeparkmd.gov.

[City of College Park]

Today is the Department of Public Work’s In-Service Snow Training Day!

Because of the training, Department of Public Works is closed to the public today (no bulk collections, deliveries, or loading of compost/wood mulch will occur). We apologize for any inconvenience.

The purpose of this training is to prepare crews for snow clearing duties which include proper handling of materials, and proper maintenance and operation of equipment. Knowing the route is also essential. The In-Service Snow Training is a classroom session of training and a “Dry Run” of the routes which is a valuable safety practice. Dry run means driving the entire Heavy & Light Plow routes assigned to each driver in non-snow and ice conditions to help awareness of features that may impact snow plowing and spreading materials.

This pre-storm run is for drivers to inspect and observe landmarks and the locations of possible hazards (school locations, guardrails, curbs, tight streets, etc.) which may cause difficulty or be hidden by falling or plowed snow.

[City of College Park]

[From City’s Department of Public Works]

Due to the expected winter weather, the City of College Park will delay refuse and recycling collection today.

Today’s collections (College Park Woods; Crystal Springs; Patricia Court; area north of MD 193, west of Rhode Island Ave, and east of Baltimore Ave) will be picked up on Thursday, and Wednesday’s collections (Cherry Hill; Autoville North; Sunnyside; area north of MD 193 and east of Rhode Island Ave) will be picked up on Friday.

Because of the Presidents’ Day holiday, collections were already shifted forward by one day; Monday’s collections that were scheduled for today have been picked up. With snow projected to begin accumulating between 3:00-5:00 a.m. today morning, Department of Public Works crews will begin snow and ice operations tonight in preparation of the storm, and will continue throughout its duration.

The decision to delay refuse and recycling collection allows our crews to effectively clear the roads of snow and ice, and will help ensure the safety of our staff and residents.

Four to six inches of snow and ice are projected for today; please help our crews and snow plows clear the roads by parking in your driveway, or on the same side of the road as your neighbors. For more information including parking guides and shoveling tips, visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/snow.

Department of Public Works crews continue to clear routes. Crews are plowing/ salting routes. We have about 6 inch accumulation and could get 3 more inches. As soon as we clear down to asphalt, the heavier snow covers the route up again and we need to retreat and re-plow. DPW will continue to monitor conditions and work to keep roads clear in College Park. Residents can help us by parking off streets and in driveways and park close to curbs.

Please be aware that shoveling snow can pose a health hazard, so only shovel if your physical condition allows.

And please remember that wet snow is heavy and can be hazardous. Do not shovel snow if you have a heart condition or any other medical conditions and, always, no matter your situation, never over exert yourself. Please be safe in these weather conditions, and make sure to stay warm at home. Now would be a great time to make sure you don’t need heater maintenance or take care of any heater repair you may have been putting off so that it will run as effectively and efficiently as possible, if you have not done so ahead of time.

Thank you all who have volunteered so far. We still need a couple of volunteers based on the requests we have from our elderly neighbors and neighbors with a disability. As you’ve seen we’re having more accumulations (up to 6 inches) than what was forecasted before. Thank you!