Parks Operations staff has been busy assisting with a lot of snow removal this past month. Parks Operations staff is equipped with three pickups with snow plows and two small tractor units with snow removal attachments. Crews are responsible for downtown allies, downtown parking lots, Newton Public Library, all city-owned sidewalks (including city-owned D & D properties), roadways through both cemeteries, Arboretum parking lot, roads and parking lots in city parks, Westwood Golf Course/ Newton Dog Park drive and parking lot, and a few sections of bike hike/ bike trail. A lot of routine maintenance is required on the equipment to keep it running through the tough snow conditions.
When there is a break from the snow, crews have been busy with many offseason projects. One of which is reconstructing some of the over 170 picnic tables throughout Newton’s park system. Tables are located both outside throughout our parks, as well as inside the pool pavilion and many park shelters. They are exposed to a lot of elements and routine maintenance is a must.