Boston Volunteers Shovel Crosswalks After 20-Inch Blizzard

When a January blizzard dumped over 20 inches of snow on Boston, the city made an unusual request: come help us shovel. Dozens of volunteers answered the call.

About six residents gathered with shovels on Hyde Park Avenue in Jamaica Plain on Tuesday morning. They were just one crew among 16 snow removal meet-ups organized across the city.

The goal was simple but crucial. Clear curb ramps and crosswalks to make streets accessible for everyone, especially people with disabilities.

Cecily Graham from the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services coordinated the Forest Hills station site. She explained that residents flagged this particular area as problematic after the storm, when complaints poured in about impassable corners and unshoveled sidewalks.

Among the volunteers was Katarina Torres Radisic, who leads a disability advocacy group advising the MBTA on accessibility. Torres Radisic had met with Mayor Michelle Wu over the weekend to discuss snow removal plans and came out to see the results firsthand.

"From personal experience, I'd say that the city has done a better job so far," Torres Radisic said while working on a crosswalk.

Holly Crowe spotted the volunteer opportunity on Facebook and saw a chance to help while her gym was closed. She credited her husband for digging out their house that morning so she could join the community effort.

Henry Nelson heard about the event from his roommate and jumped at the chance. "I like being active, I like doing something useful and especially if it helps other people out," he said between shovel loads.

The Ripple Effect

The volunteer effort represents a shift in how Boston handles major snow events. After residents voiced frustration about accessibility and safety concerns, city officials responded by mobilizing community power rather than relying solely on municipal resources.

The approach turns a winter challenge into an opportunity for neighbors to connect while solving real problems together. Meeting face to face with shovels in hand builds community bonds while keeping streets safe for wheelchair users, parents with strollers, and elderly residents.

Boston plans to hold a hearing on snow removal strategies on March 3. Residents can continue reporting concerns by calling 311.

Sometimes the best solutions come when a city trusts its neighbors to help, and neighbors trust each other enough to show up.