With everybody busy shoveling snow, now’s a good time to remind you that nominations are being accepted for Deschutes County’s Safe Sidewalk Award.
The award recognizes businesses, individuals and organizations who make an extra effort to keep sidewalks around their property clear of snow and ice.
Trinity Episcopal Church occupies two city blocks in downtown Bend, which means they clear snow off thousands of feet of city sidewalks that wrap around their buildings. It’s a process that takes several hours.
They do it every time it snows.
“We want to make sure that it is safe for folks to travel around in our neighborhood. We have a lot of organizations that come and go all day long to use our facilities, so we try to make sure that it is safe for everyone,” said Rev. Elizabeth Wheatley-Jones.
Deschutes County code requires businesses to clear ice or snow from sidewalks adjacent to their property within six hours of daylight. Residential properties must do so within 24 hours.
“I’m retired. If it gets bad enough, I just figure these people are at work or they are a little bit elderly. What’s the big deal? I just do it,” said Mike Chambless, a 2024 Safe Sidewalk Award winner.
Chambless has been shoveling other people’s sidewalks and driveways, including mine when I’m busy at work, for 10 years.
“I would feel terrible if somebody slipped and fell because we didn’t do the sidewalk,” he said.
Safe Sidewalk Award winners in 2024 include Brian Earls, owner of the Shell Station and Highlander Hotel in La Pine, The Deschutes County Facilities Team, Ernie Kanning, Bend, The Miller Lumber Company and The Redmond Proficiency Academy.
“I’m pretty sure there is no commandment thou must shovel your sidewalk however, all of it points to that we are caring for our brothers and sisters,” Rev. Wheatley-Jones said.
To nominate a business, individual or organization, follow this link to the nomination form and submit it by March 20.
Winners of the 2025 Safe Sidewalk Award will be recognized at a future Board of County Commissioners meeting.
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