The Storm Patrol: NPS Crews Rally to Reopen Roads, Sidewalks, Plazas and Parks after Heavy Snow and Ice

National Capital Parks - East staff James Sledge, Chris Holland and Michael Donato clear ice from a staircase at Lincoln Park in Washington, D.C., on January 29, 2026.

NPS / Gabby Napolitano

Feb. 5, 2026

The snow falls hard, then shifts. Sleet follows. Freezing rain seals the surface, and after sundown, wet pavement quickly turns to ice.

Across the National Capital Region, National Park Service crews climb into plow trucks, fire up loaders, and grab shovels to reopen park roads, parkways, bridges, sidewalks and plazas. They work rotating shifts, treat slick surfaces and return repeatedly as conditions change.

"We know these storms are tough on visitors with long-planned trips, residents trying to get to work and school and drivers navigating changing conditions," said National Park Service, National Capital Region Director Jennifer T. Nersesian. "Staff are working tirelessly to restore access as safely and quickly as possible, and we’re grateful for your patience as conditions improve."

The recent storm follows a National Weather Service Winter Storm Watch warning of snow and sleet, difficult travel and prolonged wind chill temperatures.

Why this work matters to visitors and commuters

Snow and ice removal protects the experiences that draw people to parks.

Crews keep emergency and commuter routes moving, and open roads families use to reach trails, overlooks and sledding areas. They clear sidewalks and memorial approaches so visitors can safely experience the National Mall and many neighborhood parks. They also help keep access open for medical response and law enforcement.

This public safety work helps prevent crashes on steep ramps, reduces slips on shaded walkways and keeps visitors from becoming stranded when temperatures drop.

National Capital Parks - East maintenance workers Chris Holland, left, and Davone Hinton clear snow from a staircase at Lincoln Park in Washington, D.C., on January 29, 2026

NPS / Gabby Napolitano

How crews prioritize, starting with safety

Snow response crews first tackle what protects life and safety, then expand outward as weather allows.

Phase 1: Life safety and primary routes

• Main roads, bridges and ramps
• Emergency access and critical corridors

Phase 2: High-use pedestrian areas

• High-use sidewalks
• Major public-facing areas, including memorial approaches

Phase 3: Secondary routes

• Parking lots
• Secondary roads and routes as conditions improve

This approach keeps key corridors passable even when plowed lanes refill and freezing rain erases progress in minutes.

Commuter lifelines demand constant attention

Some routes do more than serve parks, they serve the region.

"The Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Suitland Parkway are essential commuter lifelines for our region. Our roads and trails crew, tree crew, utilities crew and grounds crew work as one team," said Jerome L. Bussey, Supervisory Facilities Operations Specialist, National Capital Parks - East. "We keep those mainlines passable first, then push back snow and ice from shoulders, ramps, and merge lanes to widen the roadway and reduce risk. People depend on these routes, and we take that responsibility seriously."

Along both the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers corridors, crews face a constant threat: refreeze on bridges, ramps and shaded stretches.

"The George Washington Memorial Parkway serves as a major commuter route and tight ramps, bridges and shaded areas can hold ice long after the storm ends," said GWMP Operations Chief of Maintenance Jerry Garcia. "We have teams working around the clock to keep up with the relentless precipitation, and we adjust our operations as conditions change from snow to ice to make sure the road stays open. Our team shifts into monitoring for refreeze and stays steady in widening our roads, ramps, lots, and the many sites throughout the parks."

National Capital Parks - East maintenance staff drive a snowplow to clear a sidewalk at Lincoln Park in Washington, D.C., on January 29, 2026.

NPS / Gabby Napolitano

Regionwide leadership keeps crews aligned

"We run snow operations like a team sport. Our veteran crew leaders set the tone, and every position does their part. When conditions change, our crews stay in constant communication with one another to address critical needs. This ensures our visitors can quickly return to safely enjoy their parks," said National Capital Regional Office Facility Manager Ben Wagner.

By the numbers

In the close-in D.C. metro area, high-priority roadway workload includes:

• National Mall and Memorial Parks: about 42 lane miles
• George Washington Memorial Parkway: about 199 lane miles
• National Capital Parks - East: about 149 lane miles
• Rock Creek Park: about 35 miles of high-priority roadways, plus 22 miles of sidewalks and paved trails

At the National Mall, crews estimate they removed no less than 2.6 million cubic feet of snow across sidewalks, roads, plazas, steps and parking lots in January. That’s enough snow to fill nearly 30 Olympic-size swimming pools.

The unsung hero moments you do not always see

Some of the most consequential work is the least visible.

Overnight shifts and handoffs

Crews work through the night, then hand off to day teams so operations can continue safely. Rotations keep plows moving and help reduce fatigue during hazardous conditions.

Constant reassessment

What looks clear at noon can turn to ice by nightfall. Teams reassess conditions, treat roads and ramps ahead of freezing temperatures and return to the same stretches to stay ahead of refreeze.

Equipment problem-solving

When leased trucks break down, crews keep moving. Repairs happen while other equipment stays in service. When salt freezes in spreaders and complicates treatment, teams adjust to maintain traction and reduce risk.

Behind-the-scenes support

Support teams secure lodging, handle logistics, organize coordination calls, and track conditions and resources across parks. That work keeps operators rested, supplied, and synchronized, so crews can keep critical routes open and shift where they are needed most.

A cleared sidewalk leads to the Arlington House entrance in Arlington, Va., on January 29, 2026.

NPS / Greg Cox

What visitors want to know

Is the park open? What is closed?

Status can vary by location and by day. Roads often reopen before visitor centers, parking lots or memorial plazas.

When will areas reopen?

Reopenings depend on weather, refreeze risk and the ability to clear priority routes first. Some sites stay closed while crews shift from roads to sidewalks and plazas.

What is NPS doing right now?

Crews are plowing and widening lanes, treating surfaces with salt and sand, breaking up hard-packed ice, clearing key pedestrian routes and monitoring for refreeze.

What are you prioritizing first?

Emergency access, main roads, bridges and ramps first. Then high-use sidewalks and major public areas. Then secondary routes and lots.

How many people and how much equipment is involved?

Staffing and equipment vary by park. The response relies on coordinated crews, CDL plow trucks, loaders, smaller plows for tight spaces, and hand crews for steps, sidewalks, plazas, and memorial and monument areas.

How the public can help

You don’t need a plow truck to support a safe recovery.

Check for updates before you go. Use official park alerts for closures and reopening information.

Give crews room to work. Do not drive around barricades or enter areas where plowing and salting are underway.

Assume shade equals ice. Walk slowly and use handrails.

Watch for hidden ice. Ice can hide under a thin layer of snow. Even if a surface looks snowy, it may be slick ice and could cause a fall.

Stay patient with phase two. Roads often reopen first, but sidewalks, plazas and parking areas take longer and require more hands-on work.

The sun sets over Washington, D.C., as seen from Arlington House in Arlington, Va., on January 29, 2026.

NPS / Greg Cox

The takeaway

When snow turns to sleet and sleet turns to ice, there is no clean finish line. Crews earn every cleared lane with repeated passes on ramps and roadways, and careful work on steps and sidewalks where one slip can change a visit.

In January and February 2026, National Park Service teams in the National Capital Region have been delivering under pressure with an unwavering focus on safety, even when winter keeps changing the rules.