When Orland Park invited residents to name their snowplows, the village unleashed a storm of creativity. With clever wordplay and winter-themed humor, the community came together to give these hardworking vehicles a little personality. It’s not just about clearing the roads anymore, it’s a playful tradition that’s adding a touch of warmth to the chilliest season.
The idea to involve the public in naming the snowplows came from Jim Culotta, Orland Park’s Director of Public Works. Culotta wanted to foster community engagement in a way that felt both lighthearted and inclusive.
“Winter can be tough on everyone, but we thought this could be a fun way to connect with our residents,” Culotta said. “And it’s been incredible to see how much creativity and humor people have brought to the table.”
The Village owns 27 snowplows. This year was the first year that they decided to name any of their plows.
Online submissions were taken during the fall months and ranged from icy puns to clever pop culture references, with residents of all ages joining in on the fun.
The winning names, Scoop Dogg (created by Orland Park resident, Ali Shuja after the infamous Snoop Dog) and Clear-A-Pathra (a play on Cleopatra created by Orland Park resident, Ana Gomez), were selected in December by the public works department and are now proudly displayed on each snowplow, giving the fleet a unique personality and bringing smiles to drivers’ faces.
Culotta said the initiative has sparked more than just a few laughs. “It’s amazing how something so small can build a sense of pride and camaraderie. People love knowing they had a hand in naming the plows they see out on the streets.”
For many residents, the contest became a way to bond during an otherwise gloomy season. Some families turned it into a creative brainstorming session, while local schools used it as an opportunity for students to practice their writing and persuasive skills.
“Allowing residents to offer creative snowplow names helps foster feelings of unity and joy during the cold winter months,” Culotta said. “It also helped the village to raise awareness of this important service.”
The village also utilizes a snowplow tracker during snow events, which allows residents to monitor snowplows in real time. Both named snowplows will be identifiable on the village’s online snowplow tracker.
The snowplow naming initiative has quickly left residents eagerly awaiting their chance to leave their mark on the village and will certainly become a winter tradition. As Culotta aptly put it, “Snowplowing may be serious business, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun along the way.”
