Winter Tips – We Can All Use!
Neighbourhood Snow Blading Days
The City of Edmonton has a full schedule you can download to find out when neighbourhood blading will take place in your neighbourhood. There are some changes this year to the program, You can find the address lookup tool or interactive map here:
http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/on_your_streets/street-cleaning.aspx
Neighbourhood blading happens when snow has accumulated on neighbourhood streets. Blade trucks drive the streets, pushing snow to the sides to create safe winter driving conditions.
Some important points are:
- Blading is on the same day of the week all winter in your area.
- This season, areas that for whatever reason could not be completed on their designated days will be finished over the course of the weekend instead of having crews return the following week. Roadway Maintenance will send a Public Service Announcement and post online which neighbourhoods were not completed and where crews will be returning on Saturday and Sunday to finish.
- There is a 24 hour period designated for blading; crews can be on your street any time during the 24 hours designated. Please make sure they have complete access
- During snow events, a city-wide neighbourhood blading program will START (including alleys) after the Arterial and Collector road network has been plowed and is considered to be in safe condition.
- Neighbourhood roads will be bladed to a 5cm snow pack condition (not down to asphalt.
- Neighbourhood blading creates windrows of snow that, as a rule, will not be removed from neighbourhoods. except from school loading zones as required.
- If a street is listed as ‘Completed’ but hasn’t been bladed citizens should call 311.
- Windrows may create a loss of on-street parking for residents.
Winter Sidewalks
Snow and ice that remains on sidewalks is hazardous for everyone, but especially for people with limited mobility who may be severely injured from a fall on ice or snow. Uncleared walkways also make it difficult for people who deliver services in our city – mail carriers, meter readers, delivery drivers, firefighters and paramedics. That is why the Community Standards Bylaw requires that you clean the public sidewalks around your property removing all ice and snow. As a courtesy, The City of Edmonton may provide home owners a time frame of 48 hours to clean their sidewalks after a given snowfall, however homeowners cannot let snow or ice accumulate on their sidewalks during continuous snowfalls for multiple days at a time.
Property owners are also responsible for clearing snow from every walk and driveway on or beside a property with buildings normally occupied by people, including derelict buildings.
Here are some shovelling tips from the City of Edmonton
Shovelling:
- The best shovels to use have a small blade and ergonomic handle with a gentle curve.
- Push the snow as you shovel; it’s easier on your back than lifting the snow out of the way.
- Don’t pick up too much at once. Use a small shovel, or fill only one-fourth or one-half of a large one.
- Lift with your legs bent, not your back. Keep your back straight. By bending and “sitting” into the movement, you’ll keep your spine upright and less stressed. Your shoulders, torso and thighs can do the work for you.
- Spray the shovel blade with cooking oil if the snow is sticking to it.
- Clearing snow soon after it falls prevents it from being packed down and becoming ice, which is harder to remove.
Clearing Ice:
- Warm weather during the day can make ice soft, so it’s easier to chip or shovel away.
- Spread sand or gravel on icy patches to make your sidewalk safer for pedestrians. Spreading sand on a sidewalk before ice forms can also make future ice easier to remove. Free sand is available at your local Community League.
- Microwaving sand in a microwave-safe container and spreading it while it is still warm can make it more effective. It will embed itself in to the ice, creating a gritty top layer.
- Pile snow in a place where it will not run across your sidewalk when it melts and aim your downspouts away from areas where people walk to keep your sidewalks clear during freeze-thaw cycles. Just remember it is illegal to pile snow on public property (including roads and boulevards).
Immediately Stop Shovelling and Seek Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Discomfort or heaviness in the chest, arms or neck.
- Unusual or prolonged shortness of breath.
- A prolonged dizzy or faint feeling.
- Excessive sweating or nausea and vomiting.
- Excessive back pain.
Remember – you can pick up free sand at the Community League Hall parking lot in the green box near the dumpsters. The city fills this up on a regular basis and it is great for sprinkling on your sidewalks to improve traction.
Remember also that not everyone is physically capable of shovelling their snow. Be a good neighbour – be a friend – be a SNOW ANGEL.
School Zones – What Does it Take?
The problem of school zone speed limits is a constant topic in the media with reports from the police of drivers travelling up to 120 km an hour in a school zone. (November 4, 2015) The Office of Traffic Safety says that so far this year it has handed out 15,000 tickets for speeding in school zones.
Students and staff at many schools have come up with creative ways to remind drivers to slow down – standing with signs at the side of the road, setting up sandwich boards in the middle of the road as a visual reminder of a school zone – but what is it really going to take?
PLEASE – SLOW DOWN IN A SCHOOL ZONE
SLOW DOWN NEAR A PLAYGROUND
LOOK AROUND AT CROSSWALKS
PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS & DEATHS ARE COMPLETELY AVOIDABLE!
The signs are clearly visible – they are everywhere – just remember to LOOK!
Skating, Skating, Skating – Rink Operations Update
Kensington Community League once again welcomes back our fabulous rink attendant who has started working on getting the rinks ready for the season. Check our Facebook page for regular updates
Kensington features two rinks which are open, weather permitting, for the following times:
Mon-Fri 5 pm to 9 pm
Sat 1 pm to 8 pm
Sun noon to 5 p
Rink CLOSES if temperature or windchill reaches -20c
Helmets are required if you are playing hockey regardless of age or skill level.
Toboggan Hills
If the little Kensington hill is not quite enough, here is a list of city maintained toboggan hills.
There are a number of great City of Edmonton toboggan hills located in Edmonton. The hills are located below and you can find the current hill conditions here.
Emily Murphy Park
Emily Murphy Park Road and Groat Road
Gallagher Park
97 Avenue and 92 Street
Government House Park
Groat Road and River Valley Road
Castledowns Park
11520 – 153 Avenue
Rundle Park – ACT Hill
2903 – 113 Avenue
Rundle Park – Walton’s Mountain
2903 – 113 Avenue
Whitemud Park North
Keillor Road and Fox Drive
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing, once a traditional mode of transportation for Aboriginal Peoples, remains one the best and most practical ways to travel on deep snow. It provides transportation for exploring, bird and wildlife viewing and is great exercise too.
Most city trails are packed down and snowshoes perform best in areas that are open and off the beaten track. Check out http://www.edmonton.ca/snowshoeing for more information and parks that are best for snowshoeing
Cross-Country Ski Trails
Edmonton is home to some of the most scenic (and FREE) cross country ski trails in Alberta – the City of Edmonton grooms over 40 km of trails for skate and classic skiing and you can ski your own ungroomed tracks into ravines, open areas and parks.
http://www.edmonton.ca/activities_parks_recreation/skiing-locations-maps.aspx