Shakopee Snapshot: Winter 2025

PUBLIC WORKS Everything you need to know about snow plowing

D. Cul-de-sacs, alleys, sidewalks and trails: Due to their size, Public Works typi cally uses smaller equipment to clear cul-de-sacs, alleys, sidewalks, and trails. Each fall, the City Council adopts a side walk and trails map outlining which sidewalks and trails it will plow during the upcoming season. Priority is given to walking paths along main arterial streets and school walking zones. E. Snow hauling: Some areas of the city do not have enough right-of-way to store snow that accumulates from the plowing process. This can create sight line and safety issues. Thus, Public Works crews typically spend the nights and days following a large storm haul ing snow to open City land for storage. Example: Downtown Shakopee. PARKING DURING WINTER AND IN SNOW STORMS Shakopee’s winter parking regulations are in effect from November 1 through March 31, regardless of whether snow is on the ground. During this period, no parking is allowed on City streets between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. The only exception is in the Calendar Zone, which is bordered by the Minnesota River, 10th Ave nue, Marschall Road, and County Highway 69. In this area, an odd/even parking rule applies between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. When it snows two or more inches, street parking is prohibited completely, including in the Calendar Zone, until the street has been completely plowed curb to curb. Keeping vehicles off the street helps Pub lic Works crews plow safely and efficiently, especially in narrow residential areas. Cars parked on the street during snow events can delay plowing operations and leave unplowed sections of roadway behind.

When it snows, we all want our streets and driveways cleared as quickly as possible, so we can get on with daily life. But sometimes, especially after a large snow event, that may mean waiting for the plow. PRIORITIZING WHERE TO PLOW The Public Works Department operates from a snow plowing and ice control policy that outlines the City’s process for efficient and timely snow removal. The policy emphasizes safety by prioritizing emergency response and focusing on the most critical time periods (weekday morning and evening commutes). Here’s how the City prioritizes its streets, parking lots, and trails: A. Emergency routes: Ensuring emer gency fire, police, and medical services can travel freely through the city dur ing a storm event is the City’s main pri ority. This means plowing main arterial roads and collector streets, as they have the highest traffic volumes and connect major sections of the city. Examples: 10th Avenue, Fourth Avenue, Vierling Drive, Southbridge Parkway, Eagle Creek Boulevard. B. Access to schools and commercial property: The second priority are streets that provide access to the city’s com mercial centers and schools. This is criti cal for helping people get to school and work as quickly as possible follow ing a snow event. Examples: Shenan doah Drive, downtown Shakopee, Old Carriage Court, Valley Industrial Boule vard N., Valley Industrial Boulevard S. C. Lower volume residential streets: Once plows have cleared the busiest city streets, they focus on ensuring the less traveled residential streets are cleared. This would include most of the residen tial areas throughout the city.

Who plows my street? Not all streets in Shakopee are plowed by the City of Shakopee Public Works Department. ■ The City of Shakopee maintains public residential streets and public parking lots. ■ Scott County maintains county state aid highways, including Marschall Road, 17th Avenue, Canterbury Road, County Highway 21, and more. ■ The Minnesota Department of Transportation maintains Highway 169 and its on and off ramps. ■ Neighborhood associations clear private streets, alleys, and sidewalks. ■ Private businesses maintain their own private parking lots. If your vehicle is parked on the street in viola tion of the winter parking ordinance, it may be ticketed or towed at the owner’s expense. Residents can help by: ■ Moving vehicles into driveways or garages before snow events. ■ Reminding guests and neighbors about the overnight parking ban. ■ Clearing snow around fire hydrants and mailboxes for safety and access. ■ Avoiding pushing or blowing snow into the street—doing so violates City code and can create hazards once roads refreeze. By following these rules, residents make it eas ier for plow crews to clear streets quickly and keep everyone safe through the winter season. Visit ShakopeeMN.gov/winterparking for more information about winter parking regulations and snow removal.

CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR PET ›› DID YOU KNOW?

›› HOW YOU CAN HELP: Being a responsible pet owner means picking up after your pet. Bag it and put it in the trash. Landfills are designed to safely handle substances such as dog waste and cat litter.

■ Storm sewers are not connected to wastewater treatment plants or septic systems like the drains in your home. When pet waste is tossed into a storm drain or left on a sidewalk, street, or yard, it is carried through the storm system directly into your local water bodies, without any treatment! ■ Pet waste is a threat to human and environmental health because it contains harmful bacterial and pathogens, some of which can cause serious diseases in humans. ■ Pet waste also contains many other nutrient pollutants, which contribute to excessive algae growth in a water body, upsetting the delicate balance of the natural habitat.

PLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR PET

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