Trail and Sidewalk Snow Plowing

As snow accumulates on Beaumont’s trails and sidewalks, we begin plowing by prioritizing pedestrian safety, business areas, education facilities, and recreation facilities. Trails and sidewalks will be cleared to a “snow-free surface”. Wide trails and sidewalks will be plowed in “one pass” after a snowfall to allow users a “snow-free surface”. Once all trails and sidewalks are given “one pass”, we will widen trails to edges using the service level priorities. For comprehensive service level maps for trails and sidewalk snow plowing, CLICK HERE.

There are two (2) service level priorities for plowing trails and sidewalks owned by Beaumont and not the responsibility of the adjacent homeowner to clear:

LocationPriorityTrails and SidewalksSnow Conditions and Timeframe
Eastside1Designated locations on mapWithin 24 hours after 5 cm of snowfall or equivalent snow drift
2Designated locations on mapAfter Priority 1 is completed
Westside1Designated locations on mapWithin 24 hours after 5 cm of snowfall or equivalent snow drift
2Designated locations on mapAfter Priority 1 is completed

Clearing Sidewalks and Around Fire Hydrants

As outlined in the Community Standards Bylaw and Water and Sewer Bylaw (Bylaw #689-08), residents are responsible for clearing their adjoining sidewalks, and for clearing space around fire hydrants. 
  • Remove and clear away all snow greater than 2 cm in depth, dirt, or other obstructions within 48 hours of the time deposited on the sidewalk
  • Remove or sand any ice to the extent that walking is safe
  • Ensure a 1.5-meter clearing around all hydrants

Sand or Melting Agents

We do not use sand or melting agents on trails and sidewalks, this is because:

  • Introducing salt onto our trail/sidewalk network could be harmful to children and animals.
  • Introducing salt onto our trail/sidewalk network will reduce the lifespan of the sidewalk/trail as the salt will erode away at the exposed concrete/asphalt over time.
  • A ‘muddy’ surface is created as the sand mixes with melting ice from the salt.
  • Salt may get pushed to the edges of the trail or sidewalk and may kill grass.

Rock chips are used if trails and sidewalks become hazardous due to freezing rain or other such weather conditions.