Locals call for additions to snow plowing routes following heavy snowfalls in Oxford

Lindsey Thome, a resident of Oxford, has been raising awareness about the Oxford Area Trail System’s (OATS) lack of plowing during winter months, hindering accessibility to locals.

On Feb. 17, Thome brought these concerns to the Oxford City Council during a meeting.

“When the trails aren’t cleared, the ‘multi-use’ nature of the path vanishes,” Thome said in her statement. “By extending maintenance services throughout the winter months, residents will benefit from safe access to outdoor spaces, supporting year-round active living.”

For Thome, OATS has been a year-round way for her to walk her dog and spend time outdoors with her son, and snowfalls, especially this year’s heavy snowfall, have blocked that opportunity.

Thome eventually reached out to locals and other trail users who shared her frustration and found herself sharing these concerns with the city council.

Thome also created a petition, with 234 signatures as of March 10, that urges the Oxford City Council to take action to plow these paths after snowstorms.

“I really want the voices of the people in Oxford to be heard and honored on this (issue),” Thome said. “I’ve talked to a lot of people that have said that they have brought up this issue before and have been met with pushback as well.”

Thome added that she plans to attend future city council meetings to continue to bring this issue to the city council.

Concluding her statement to the city council, Thome said: “We have built a world-class trail system. Let’s make sure it is usable for all, year-round. Let’s work together to ensure that every resident – whether they are pushing a stroller, a wheelchair or training for a 5K – can use these trails in all four seasons.”

Adam Gloyeske, an ultramarathon runner in Oxford, spoke to the Oxford Free Press about why he signed the petition.

“I know that there are people that want to get out there every day,” Gloyeske said. “This last snowstorm made it pretty apparent that (for) people who don’t have access to a gym or anything, that trail, if it was cleared, would provide a big opportunity for people to get outside.”

Gloyeske added that, as a runner, the trails have acted as his mode of transportation during winter.

Jessica Greene, assistant city manager for the City of Oxford, told the Oxford Free Press in an email that the opinions of locals carry the most weight when attempting to enact change.

“Our Council cares deeply about public comment and is often very responsive,” Greene said.

Greene added that Thome’s statement and petition have made the issue aware to the city council, and finding funding for this could be a roadblock.

“It will be challenging with our current funding mechanism,” Greene said. “It will take a directive from Council to change our operations because it will impact the budget.”

The process of adding something to the budget for 2027 operations will begin this summer, Greene said.

Greene also said OATS is funded through a property tax that ends in 2028, and a majority of that money is going toward construction projects in Oxford.

“Some of the funding goes toward maintenance but it’s not enough to cover the staffing needed for snow clearing,” Greene said.

Greene said that if residents want more services like snow clearing, the city will have to find new revenue sources or reallocate resources from other areas.

Greene shared that the city has heard a lot of feedback from residents regarding the sidewalk ordinance this winter.

The sidewalk ordinance, updated in 2025 before the winter season, requires property owners and occupants to remove snow from sidewalks on their property within 24 hours after a snowfall of three inches or more. Cleared areas must be at least four feet wide down to the concrete, according to the ordinance.

If a property owner fails to clear their sidewalk, the City of Oxford may clear it with a contractor, leaving the property owner with a bill including a cost for removal with a 40% administrative fee tacked on.

“We have received several comments thanking the city for clearer sidewalks and we've also received several comments regarding the burden and challenge this ordinance creates for property owners,” Greene said.

Greene said, in preparation for the next snow season, the city council has asked her to evaluate the costs from the sidewalk ordinance from its first winter. This research will be conducted over the course of the spring and shared in June with the city council.

Greene added that she expects to see some additions as well, such as the sidewalk on University Park Boulevard that travels to Talawanda High School.

She said that the city will attempt to get more contractors to help clear the target enforcement areas as well, within the 24-hour period following a snowfall of over three inches.

More information about sidewalk and plowing routes can be found online on the City of Oxford website.