Back in February, after Montclair was hit with nearly 19 inches of snow, the township faced a logistical problem: where to put all the plowed snow, salt, and road debris.
The answer turned out to be two local parks — Essex Park on Chestnut Street and Erie Park on Walnut Street — where contractors working for the township dumped massive piles of compacted snow and ice. Over the following weeks, those piles became a source of growing frustration, concern, and online speculation among residents.
Now, months later, the piles are finally gone.
But after visiting both parks this week, The Montclair Pod found that while the snow may have melted away, questions about the cleanup process — and the potential impact on the parks — remain unresolved.
From Blizzard Response to Community Concern
The issue first gained wider attention after photos circulated online, including a widely shared Instagram post from NJ.com that drew thousands of reactions locally.
As temperatures rose in March and April, the snow piles began melting, revealing litter, road debris, salt residue, and other materials trapped inside. Residents raised concerns not only about aesthetics, but also about potential environmental damage.
A post in the Secret Montclair OG Facebook group sparked particularly intense discussion, warning that salt exposure and soil compression near century-old oak trees at Essex Park could cause long-term damage that may not be visible for years.
The township previously described the snow piles as an “ice matrix” — compacted snow mixed with salt, dirt, and debris that had become six to eight times denser than fresh snow.
What The Township Said
In recent weeks, township officials publicly defended a cautious cleanup strategy.
According to prior statements from the township, officials were concerned that bringing heavy equipment into the parks during thaw conditions could compact soil and damage sensitive tree root systems.
The township consulted with experts from Rutgers University, including specialists in urban forestry. The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Essex and Passaic Counties also conducted a site visit and reportedly recommended a low-impact approach using only lightweight equipment.
At one point, officials discussed a cleanup plan that could have cost up to $50,000.
This week, The Montclair Pod contacted the township again to ask what ultimately happened.
A spokesperson from the Department of Community Services confirmed that the snow and ice masses are now gone and said no hardened salt blocks needed to be removed. According to the township, the piles melted naturally over time and were not carted away.
The spokesperson said DCS crews focused primarily on removing litter and debris, and that the only equipment used were pickup trucks with tipper attachments for garbage collection.
What We Saw at the Parks
When The Montclair Pod visited Essex and Erie Parks this week, the snow piles themselves were gone.
But visible signs of disturbance remained.
At both sites, the ground appeared churned up in places, with large tread-like marks visible near curbs and grassy areas. Some sections looked as though vehicles or machinery may have crossed over curbs onto the park grounds.
When asked specifically about the tracks, the township spokesperson said: “I don’t know what the tracks are from exactly.”
It is possible the marks date back to February, when the snow was initially deposited. But given the time that has passed, it remains unclear.
Residents Still Looking for Answers
At this point, there are two competing realities:
The township maintains the snow simply melted naturally and that cleanup efforts were limited to debris collection using light equipment.
At the same time, visible signs at the parks have left some residents questioning whether additional machinery may have been used.
For now, there is no definitive answer.
If you live near Essex Park or Erie Park and observed cleanup crews, equipment activity, or anything else related to the snow pile removal over the past several weeks, The Montclair Pod wants to hear from you.
You can reach us at hello@montclairpod.com or DM us on Instagram.
For additional background, readers can also review prior reporting from Patch and NJ.com, along with earlier township statements on the issue.
