Public parks and outdoor recreation areas are key part of a community. They provide people with a place to exercise or socialize with friends. During the nighttime, these areas can remain open after dark without adequate lighting. LED lighting has become the solution to keep parks and recreation areas safe during later hours. Using LED lighting for parks improves safety, lowers energy usage, and can enhance the outdoor space.

Enhanced Safety with LED Lighting

Proper lighting helps improve safety throughout parks, especially at night. Strategically placed lighting will deter unwanted activity, accidents and crime. LED provides the best lighting performance. Unlike its competitors, LEDs provide full brightness immediately without the need to heat up. This can ensure that community members are able to navigate pathways and other park areas safely.

Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings

One of the most significant advantages of LED lighting for parks is its energy efficiency. Traditional lighting systems consume large amounts of power, leading to high operational costs. In contrast, LED fixtures can reduce energy consumption by up to 80%. This reduction in energy use not only lowers utility bills but also supports sustainability initiatives by decreasing the carbon footprint of public facilities.

Reduced Maintenance Requirements

Maintaining traditional lighting systems can be labor-intensive and costly due to frequent bulb replacements and repairs. LED lights boast significantly longer lifespans, often lasting up to 25,000 hours or more. This longevity reduces the frequency of maintenance tasks, allowing park staff to focus on enhancing user experiences rather than managing lighting issues.

Moreover, many LED fixtures are designed to withstand the outdoor elements. With features that protect against impact, moisture, and dust, these lights are less likely to be damaged over time.

Additional Benefits of LED Lighting

LED has a wide range of color accuracy and fixture types. City officials can create the perfect lighting strategy that suits the spaces needs. They can provide lighting along pathways or use flood lights for areas like sporting fields and basketball courts.

LED lights can be paired perfectly with smart lighting controls. This adds more control over the lighting by either creating an automatic schedule for lights to turn on or using motion sensors.

Case Study: Portland, Oregon’s Light Pole Safety Project

In Portland, Oregon, city officials enacted a new plan to create a safer environment for their community. The Safe Light Project begun in 2023 in an effort to transform their streets and recreational parks with brighter streetlights. City officials identified over 200 light poles with structural issues that posed potential hazards to the public and retrofitted them with LED technology.

Two popular parks in the city, Mt. Tabor Park and Irving Park were two locations that had new LED lighting installed to make the parks safer. The new fixtures are designed to be Dark Sky-friendly, preventing unnecessary light spill and ensuring illumination is directed where it’s needed most.

This is just one example of how important it is for outdoor areas to have proper lighting to help promote safety meanwhile having a comfortable and friendly environment.

These sources were originally published June 25, 2020 by Aeon LED Lighting and August 24, 2024, by Koin News.