A Community Approach to Clearing Snow From Sidewalks

As Midwesterners and East Coasters prepare to receive another several inches of snow, pedestrians in a small neighborhood in Ann Arbor, Michigan, can rest assured. They know that SnowBuddy will clear the way for their commuter walks or errands to nearby downtown. The 32-horsepower tractor, outfitted with special attachments, clears the Water Hill neighborhood’s 12 miles of sidewalks after a big storm. Paid for by community-pooled donations and operated by a volunteer force, the little tractor represents a major step towards collectivizing what has traditionally been a private responsibility.

“Pedestrians deserve a respectful transportation experience, and the sidewalk is fundamentally a transportation corridor,” says SnowBuddy’s lead organizer, Paul Tinkerhess, a 30-year resident of Ann Arbor. “When you look at it that way, it’s absurd to think that many cities assign winter maintenance of sidewalks to homeowners.”