What Is Ithaca Snow Angels and How You Can Join

Winter in Ithaca comes with its fair share of charm: fresh snowfall that turns the city into a soft-edged postcard. But that magic also brings challenges — especially for pedestrians trying to navigate snow-packed sidewalks and the piles that build up at street corners after plows pass through.

That’s where Ithaca Snow Angels comes in — a creative civic program run by the City of Ithaca that turns community care into action. It goes beyond clearing your own walk and invites residents to help make every sidewalk safer and more accessible for neighbors of all ages and abilities. 

What’s the Program All About?

Ithaca Snow Angels is a web-based volunteer platform designed to connect people willing to shovel with specific trouble spots around town — especially corner curb cuts and pedestrian access areas that get clogged with snow after storms. The goal is to remove obstacles that make walking difficult, particularly for people using wheelchairs, pushing strollers, or with limited mobility. 

Instead of waiting for someone else to deal with it, volunteers — affectionately called Snow Angels — can take action in a few simple steps:

1. Spot a sidewalk corner or curb cut blocked by snow.

2. Report it on the Ithaca Snow Angels web app by dropping a pin on a map and uploading a photo. 

3. The location gets flagged as “in need,” and other volunteers can see it on the map.

4. Shovel the corner, upload an after photo, and earn points in the system. 

There are even leaderboards for friendly competition, so helping the community can feel a bit like a neighborhood game. 

How to Participate

Joining in is easy and open to anyone who lives, works, or spends time in the city:

• Visit the Snow Angels web app and allow access to your location so you can see nearby requests. 

• Report corners that need clearing with a photo and a pin on the map. 

• Shovel corners yourself or jump in to help with other requests you see. 

• Upload before and after photos to log your work and earn points — the app tracks contributions and highlights top volunteers. 

All you need is a sturdy shovel and a smartphone or computer to get started. It’s a great way to turn winter exertion into community support, and every shoveled corner helps make Ithaca more walkable after snowstorms.

Clearing sidewalks is more than just a courtesy — it’s about ensuring safe access for everyone, whether they’re commuting to work, pushing a stroller, carrying groceries, or using a mobility aid. While property owners are required by city code to clear sidewalks adjacent to their properties, corner curb cuts often get overlooked, leaving gaps in otherwise clear pathways. Programs like Ithaca Snow Angels help fill that gap by mobilizing volunteers to pitch in where it matters most. 

Whether you’re in it for the points, the fresh air, or the satisfaction of giving back, Snow Angels is a uniquely Ithaca way to turn a winter chore into something shared and community-powered.