Montclair Has Plan To Clean Snow Dumps, Garbage At Local Parks

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Winter left an ugly present behind in Montclair, but the township has a plan to deal with it, officials say.

Montclair town officials recently gave an update about the plan to address conditions at Essex and Erie parks. During some recent winter storms, snow was relocated to maintain safe roadways and ensure emergency access – and it piled up.

Now, the community is concerned about the accumulation of debris, ice and potential environmental impacts, as well as trash and mulch that were added to the slurry.

Several people complained about the issue at a recent town council meeting.

“Our parks are a vital part of what makes Montclair such a special community, and we know how much residents care about them,” Mayor Renee Baskerville said.

“While public safety during the storms had to come first, we also recognize the impact these conditions have had,” Baskerville continued. “We are committed to a thoughtful, science-based recovery and to developing clear policies for future snow management.”

“Our aim is not just to restore these parks, but to strengthen and improve their resilience for the future,” she added.

Here’s what the township has planned, officials say:

'Balanced, Low-Impact Approach'

Following consultation with outside environmental experts, the township arborist and the Sustainability Department, the town will implement a low-impact cleanup strategy designed to reduce further damage while improving current conditions.

Because the ground remains thaw-sensitive, full removal of the snow and ice piles could cause significant soil compaction, turf damage and harm to tree root systems. Instead, the township will focus on controlled intervention, officials said.

Key elements of the plan include:

• Manual removal of visible trash and debris from snow piles, already underway
• Installation of woodchips in work areas to protect soil and reduce compaction
• Temporary fencing and restricted access to prevent further disturbance
• Avoidance of heavy equipment on vulnerable turf
• Targeted drainage improvements to support drying conditions

Cleanup efforts by Montclair Department of Community Services crews are already underway and will continue as conditions allow, officials said last week.

“A controlled, low-impact response is the right course of action here,” said Jason Grabosky, director of the Urban Forestry Program at Rutgers University.

“In situations like this, minimizing disturbance while conditions are still thaw-sensitive helps avoid unintended damage to soil and tree roots,” Grabosky said. “A plan for testing to define the intensity and extent of a problem, combined with monitoring conditions and addressing impacts after the site has had time to dry, is a sound and responsible approach.”

Environmental Monitoring, Tree Protection

The township is conducting ongoing environmental assessments to guide next steps, including:

• Soil testing for salinity, metals, and roadway-related contaminants
• Monitoring of meltwater and drainage conditions
• Arborist evaluations of tree health, including root stress and canopy condition

Restoration Plan

As conditions improve over the coming weeks, the township will initiate broader restoration efforts, including:

• Soil decompaction and regrading
• Turf reseeding
• Pruning and ongoing tree care
• Replacement of any non-viable trees

This work will not only restore impacted areas, but also presents an opportunity to improve overall site conditions and enhance the long-term health of trees and park grounds, officials said.

A formal restoration log will track progress and help to ensure accountability, officials added.

Looking Ahead

Montclair is also undertaking a review of its snow staging practices to prevent similar impacts in the future. This includes evaluating staging locations that adhere to New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection guidelines, identifying sensitive areas and strengthening interdepartmental coordination.

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