It’s the snowy season, and that means a new set of operational challenges to be met in Washington Square Park. Thanks to careful planning and preparation, the staff at the Park are more than ready to tackle whatever mother nature has in store.

Snow equipment is stored in spots around the district, including the WSP storage shed. Our snow operations actually begin in the fall, when we shake off the cobwebs and run checks on all the equipment—a process undertaken in parks across the city. Each machine is fired up and tested, and necessary repairs are made to ensure that everything is in working order by the first snowfall. In addition to our smaller equipment such as hand-operated salt spreaders and snow blowers, we have snow chains and a plow attachment that allows the gardeners to transform the John Deere tractor into a snow plow for the season! With the arrival of an additional tractor and gator fitted with snow plows, Washington Square Park is home to quite an impressive fleet. It allows for quick and effective snow management, which is incredibly important for a high-traffic priority park like WSP.

Once the equipment is prepared for the season, we wait until a snow event approaches before springing into action. The entire borough syncs up as getting the snow cleared is a massive team effort. We receive weather reports from FEMA and local government so we know what to expect, and we run through preparation checklists to make sure that all the equipment is ready and fully stocked with gas, oil, and salt.

It’s a little-known fact that NYC Parks and the Department of Sanitation actually team up when it comes to snow operations. DOS manages the city’s salt supply, including salt for parks. And NYC Parks staff who are trained to operate packer trash trucks take shifts with Sanitation driving plows in our city’s streets, which take priority. Luckily, WSP has enough equipment and staff that our operations are self-sustaining. 

But it’s not just about getting the snow cleared quickly. We work carefully so there’s no unnecessary damage done, and that’s where our snow management plan comes in. It’s been designed to prioritize the most heavily-used portions of the park so they remain accessible. Salt goes down early, before the snow begins. It can be damaging to garden beds, so snow spreaders have been carefully selected that cover as much of the pathway in one pass as possible without spillover into the beds or lawns. If the snow begins overnight when there’s no staff in the park, the first order of business is to hop on the plows and get to clearing. The perimeter of the park is tackled first since it’s the most heavily trafficked. Then a pathway is cleared through the center hardscapes. The plows are seriously strong equipment and can take out a bench or fence, so by keeping to the center of the pathways we mitigate the opportunity for damage. This method also leaves enough untouched snow to have some wintery fun! The final step once the plow is done is another layer of salt to prevent the cleared pathways from icing over.

When the weather event is over the real fun starts. We love seeing people playing safely in the snow and enjoying being outdoors in the park. To make sure things stay fun and safe, the staff monitors the remaining ice and snow until it melts completely away. More salt is spread as necessary to prevent ice from forming, and the drains are checked to be sure they can handle the runoff. 

Always remember to dress warmly, wear shoes with traction, and bring gloves for some snowy fun when visiting the park after a winter storm. Never forget that a strong base is crucial to a sturdy snowman and the perfect snowball is formed from fresh snow. The park can be a wintery wonderland this time of year and we look forward to seeing you here next time we get a fresh dusting!