Trash-filled snowbanks remain in Montclair parks months after blizzard
Snowbanks can still be seen at Essex and Erie Parks, where residents say the town’s Department of Public Works transported snow following a major storm in February.
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Despite the arrival of spring, large piles of snow mixed with trash are still lingering in parts of Montclair, months after the blizzard of 2026. Snowbanks can still be seen at Essex and Erie Parks, where residents say the town’s Department of Public Works transported snow following a major storm in February. As the snow melts, trash and debris embedded in the piles have become increasingly visible.
The issue drew heated discussion during Tuesday’s Montclair Township Council meeting, where residents debated how—and how soon—the snow and trash should be removed. Environmental concerns were also raised, with some residents worried about potential damage to trees and soil in the parks .
Many residents say they’re frustrated not only by the condition of the parks, but also by what they see as a lack of urgency from town leaders.
“My hope is for immediate remediation,” said Montclair resident Anna Grossman. “For the garbage to be removed, for the snow to be manually removed very carefully from around the trunks of the trees, and for the soil to be tested so a remediation plan can be adopted.”
Another resident, Angelica Tanti, expressed concern over visible damage to trees in the parks.“
Look at the trees—they have dents in them from getting hit by the truck,” Tanti said. “It’s insane. We pay a lot of taxes to live in this town, and this is what they do to our backyard.”
A resolution on Tuesday night’s agenda would have directed cleanup efforts, but council members ultimately tabled the measure while they wait for a mitigation and remediation plan. News 12 has reached out to the mayor’s office for comment and is awaiting a response.
