Until 8 p.m. includes Twin Cities area

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

In this video by St. Paul Smart Trips, sidewalk access advocate Linda Mainquist says, "A lot of people are too shy to talk to their neighbors about shoveling their sidewalks. Anyone from Minnesota understands this phenomenon."

The City of St. Paul and Smart Trips have made door hangers reminding residents they have 24 hours to clear their walks.

(Based on a photo by Sharyn Morrow, courtesy of St. Paul Smart Trips)

A lot of us might want to bury our heads in the snow on this one. Let's face it, with a snow dump like we just had, it's tough to keep our sidewalks properly cleared.

I'll admit that every time I'm tempted to shovel a skinny path on my corner lot, I think of 

. I'd rather die of shame than watch someone struggle with my curb-cuts so I keep digging.

. Norris, who hosts NPR's All Things Considered, grew up in Minneapolis. She describes how her parents integrated their block in South Minneapolis. This detail about snow, recounted 

A house in order. How true. We do judge each other by our snow shoveling. A clean walk means you've got your act together. Letting your neighbors tromp through knee-deep snow means you are inconsiderate and slovenly. It's too early to hope for the easy assist of spring melt-off.

If you can't do the shoveling, pay some kid with a strong back. Or maybe you'll be lucky and the neighbor with the new snow blower will do the whole block.

It's early enough in the season that it's still fun, right? Enjoy the camaraderie of neighbors, or the quiet moments of being outside in winter.

Minnesota News

The Cities Blog

Sasha Aslanian

Author

St. Paul reminds people to shovel their sidewalks.

Sidewalk advocate says don’t be shy about shoveling

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox