Portland is lighting up the night as Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) finishes replacing old and outdated light poles in 11 city parks, a move to improve energy efficiency and reduce light pollution, as reported on May 6. The undertaking which includes parks like Colonel Summers and Irving Park, is pushing towards its final phases with Mt. Tabor Park now on the docket, and Lair Hill Park and Ladds Circle Park in the queue, according to the City of Portland, Oregon.
The need for new poles was critical, as some were virtually antiques, spanning a full century back, and PP&R spares no expense they're rolling out the red carpet for Dark Sky-friendly LED lights that promise a glow-up in cost and eco-efficiency—they are 66% more efficient than their predecessors, so the city gets a budget-friendly and starry-night-friendly upgrade. Despite being more efficient, some parks have been gifted with additional lights, enhancing brightness where it counts.
The lights aren't just smarter; they're built to mimic the old-school charm, aimed to direct light strategically towards pathways, sparing nearby homes from the ubiquitous urban glare. And let's talk smart tech—these lights get their shut-eye from dusk till dawn without anyone flipping a switch. As part of a broader initiative, PP&R collaborated with Portland General Electric to spruce up other areas too, installing simple, cost-effective lights using existing power infrastructure.
As for funding, Portland's Vibrant Communities Commissioner Dan Ryan got proactive, passing an emergency ordinance that let PP&R bulk buy replacement poles to expedite the brightening of Portland's parks, an impressive government hustle showcasing inter-agency teamwork. Metro tossed in $2 million while Ryan pulled some strings to nab federal funds to pump juice into this ambitious utility venture. "We took extraordinary measures to partner with other jurisdictions to address an extraordinary project," Ryan said earlier in the year, reflecting the spirit of the project, as parks turn from dimly lit to delightfully lit, as per the City of Portland, Oregon.
Before you set out for an evening stroll, be aware that with construction on these smart poles, you might need to dodge some construction gear or detour; particularly in Mt. Tabor Park, things might get a tad darker before the dawn of new lighting. And for Pete's sake, keep your decorations off the poles people—the Portland City Code is not messing around with Chapter 20's no-fly zone for attachments.
