Snowblower Loaner Program : Department of Parks and Recreation : Arlington, Virginia

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Department of Parks and Recreation

Snowblower Loaner Program

We've got a few more snowblowers to loan this winter season. If you represent a civic association or other community group who would be interested in developing a plan to assist with the clearing school routes, Metro stops and sidewalks when the County or neighbors need assistance clearing, please contact Tom Mitchler at 703-228-6522.

To support the many generous snow clean-up volunteers in the community, Arlington County lends a limited number of snowblowers (currently 25) to civic associations or community groups.

Requests for snowblowers often outnumber the supply. Snowblowers are loaned out to civic associations and other community groups who develop a plan to assist with the clearing school routes, Metro stops and sidewalks that the County and/or neighbors need assistance clearing.

If your civic association is selected, volunteers must be trained (by County staff for free) on how to use the equipment. They must also sign an agreement and identify a home for it for the winter. The County will deliver the snowblower to the storage home and pick it up at the end of the winter season.

To achieve full community benefits with this limited supply of machines, we ask volunteers to plan their work and recruit others to help them accomplish the plan’s goals.

Public benefits include clearing areas like following - but are not limited to:

Helping elderly or disabled neighbors comply with the new snow clearing ordinance
Routes / trails to schools
Bus stops for adults or school children
Walkways leading to metro rail stations or other mass transit facilities
Walkways over bridges
School crossing guard sites
Pathways to allow the general community access to healthcare facilities, government buildings including emergency shelters, or to obtain food or other essential items necessary for daily living

Want to help? Sign up here to be put on the list for next year or contact your civic association to develop a plan. You can also sign up through Volunteer Arlington to help with neighborhood snow clearing efforts.

Please note: Volunteers must attend a training session before operating the equipment. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and must register as a volunteer. In the training session we will distribute copies of the manufacturer’s operating instructions, cover general snow blowing procedures, highlight safety concerns, and give everyone present the chance to start and operate the equipment.

Department of Parks and Recreation

SNOW RESOURCES

Snow & Ice Central
Closings, Cancellations & Delays
Snow Plowing
Preparedness & Safety
Ordinance: Clearing Sidewalks
- Ordinance FAQs