- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Snowcrete Hampers Greenbelt Snow Removal Efforts
Franklin Park residents faced hazardous conditions for weeks after recent winter storm
Published on Feb. 12, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Residents of Franklin Park and Greenbelt Station apartments in Greenbelt, Maryland say they dealt with uncleared snow and ice for nearly two weeks following a recent winter storm, leading to falls, limited accessibility for people with disabilities, and delayed school reopenings. Franklin Park management says the rapid freezing and formation of 'snowcrete' overwhelmed their equipment and labor force, requiring additional contractors and resources. Community Development issued warnings but no citations, as responsibilities varied across homeowners, apartment complexes, and HOAs. Residents took it upon themselves to clear sidewalks, but many areas remained treacherous, especially for those with mobility issues.
Why it matters
This story highlights the challenges that some Greenbelt communities faced in recovering from a severe winter storm, with uneven snow removal efforts leaving some residents, including those with disabilities, effectively stranded. It raises questions about preparedness, coordination, and communication between property managers, local government, and the community during extreme weather events.
The details
According to Franklin Park management, the rapid freezing and formation of 'snowcrete' overwhelmed their equipment and labor force, requiring them to increase manpower and bring in additional contractors to continue operations. This was a similar issue across the city and state. The Community Development department issued verbal warnings and notices of violations to several properties, primarily apartment complexes and homeowners associations, during the first two weeks following the storm, but no citations had been issued at the time of reporting. Enforcement efforts were set to continue, including issuing fines when warranted.
- The recent winter storm hit the area.
- Sidewalks and roads in Franklin Park and Greenbelt Station remained uncleared for nearly two weeks after the storm.
- Greenbelt Middle School reopened on February 4, 2026 with a two-hour delay.
- Springhill Lake Elementary sidewalks were still filled with snow and ice when schools reopened.
- Sidewalks connecting parking lots to residential buildings in Franklin Park were not cleared until late February 6, 2026.
The players
Denise Knight
The general manager of Franklin Park.
Terri Hruby
The director of Planning and Community Development for the city.
Ameerah Bridges
A Franklin Park resident who has multiple sclerosis and uses a cane.
Carla Gordon
A resident of the Franklin Park apartment complex.
Laura Charleston
A University of Maryland student at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism interning with the Greenbelt News Review.
What they’re saying
“Snow removal operations began as soon as conditions allowed. Some areas experienced more severe accumulation and icing than others, which required additional time and resources to address safely and effectively.”
— Denise Knight, General Manager, Franklin Park (Greenbelt News Review)
“Snow and ice conditions, including hardened 'snowcrete,' created unprecedented challenges for both residential and commercial properties, particularly related to equipment limitations.”
— Terri Hruby, Director of Planning and Community Development (Greenbelt News Review)
“We didn't have salt over here. Neighbors were shoveling out. [Maintenance was] nowhere to be found.”
— Ameerah Bridges, Franklin Park Resident (Greenbelt News Review)
“It was extremely treacherous. There are still areas that need to be salted or sanded.”
— Carla Gordon, Franklin Park Resident (Greenbelt News Review)
“I feel like Franklin Park was forgotten about again.”
— Carla Gordon, Franklin Park Resident (Greenbelt News Review)
What’s next
The city plans to continue enforcement efforts this week, including issuing fines to properties that have not cleared snow and ice from sidewalks.
The takeaway
This storm exposed the need for better coordination and communication between property managers, local government, and residents to ensure timely and equitable snow removal, especially for vulnerable populations. It highlights the challenges posed by extreme weather events and the importance of preparedness and community collaboration.
