Keeping Minot accessible is the goal of the city’s newly launched Adopt a Sidewalk Program.

Minot Mayor Shaun Sipma, who unveiled the program at Monday’s city council meeting, said the program is aimed at improving the walkability in Minot neighborhoods. The program is seeking organizations and individuals to help remove snow from sidewalks on property owned by the city.

“As a community, we want to work together to make our city accessible and safe to residents who use our sidewalks every day, and that includes many people who walk to work and many children who walk to and from school,” Sipma said in a news release. “We’re appealing to adjacent property owners and service clubs as examples of who might participate in this program.”

He explained at the council meeting that city crews often are stretched thin following a snow storm, and help from residents can ensure sidewalks are cleared in a more timely manner.

People can call Public Works at 857-4140 for information about available sidewalks and to sign up to adopt. The majority of the sidewalks that need attention are in the valley. A map of the locations will be available on the City of Minot website at minotnd.org.

Sipma also urged residents to reach out to neighbors who may have accessibility problems and adopt neighborhood sidewalks to keep free of snow this winter.