Comments by chiptex
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Posted on February 28, 2009 at 2:24 p.m.
One member of the Task Force has pushed for exactly what you suggest - LEDs near the trail like footlights - even tied to motion detectors - such that the trail is light up ahead of a walker/ jogger etc. (He is an ex TI engineer so go figure) Unfortunately, the staff do not think that far ahead. But when the cost of LEDs come down, etc. some sort of motion- detecting lighting could be considered.
We have pushed for motion detectors on all lights -but the problem is that it takes too long for the ballasts to warm up / lights to come on, so no can do, until a long life/ low cost lighting instant-on system is available.
Note that the Master Plan (which is not funded!) can anticipate the use of LED and motion detectors - when and if a project gets installed. And we will add that as a consideration - I suggested as much today and someone pointed out that if all the lights are on motion detectors - the park would "twinkle" at night like a Christmas tree. . ..
Posted on February 27, 2009 at 8:44 a.m.
Good bike headlights cost - but are worth it if you ride a lot at night. And they certainly do light up the road. So a matter of how much you value your safety.
Lighting projects in the park are a matter of priorities. There are a dozen parking lots and buildings in the park that have really bad lighting. Plus the docks. So all of those lights have to be replaced, repaired or removed first. That has been agreed on.
All of those locations are wired, so one way to use "solar" would be for the City to buy wind-power as part of its energy mix. Will enquire about that.
Some of the members of the Task Force recommended using LED lighting - and the consultants rejected it out of hand as being too expensive for the applications - down lights in parking lots, etc. - with "full spectrum" low wattage lights.
This plan focuses on prioritizing lighting projects. There is not enough money left from the '06 bonds to re-do half the lights in the park (if that). So by the time the next bond package goes out ('10), the cost of LED and use of solar (wind) may be feasible.
Posted on February 26, 2009 at 9:13 p.m.
Good point. All dock lights get replaced in the plan. Down-lights replace the floods (some of which don't work). A big improvement over the floods - less glare, white full spectrum lights similar to the ones on the Mockingbird pedestrian bridge.
Note that fishing is one of the few "defense of prosecution" exceptions to the midnight curfew - meaning you could fish past midnight. Ditto sailing at night - exempt from curfew- but don't tell !
Posted on February 26, 2009 at 6:59 p.m.
The priority will be to repair, remove, replace lights in parking lots in the park. Should be an improvement.
Lighting 10 miles of un-patrolled trails is not going to happen in this park.
Get one of these - they work great -
Posted on February 26, 2009 at 5:53 p.m.
The street lights on West Lawther are going to be removed. The money allocated and future bond money is going to be spent repairing, replacing, or removing the non-conforming lights in the parking lots - all the way around the lake. That's the consensus priority.
http://www.ladycdesign.com/Docs/WRL_O...
If you ride bike at night, get a light; it's the law. If you walk or jog, get a light; it's common sense.
Posted on February 25, 2009 at 10:09 a.m.
Parks made a mistake putting the wrong lights in the wrong place on West Lawther. They have admitted it and are going to move them to a more appropriate location. Money allocated, they are gone.
Nothing "regressive" about all this - the trails have never been lit.
Most trail usage is daytime. At night bikes are required by law to carry lights. Walkers and joggers can do the same. Or, if they prefer, go to a lit trail - such as the Katy Trail, that is patrolled.
Problem with the White Rock trails is that they are rarely patrolled at night by the Bike Patrol, since the evening shift has to respond to 9-11 calls outside of the park - so it would be grossly irresponsible to give the "perception of safety" that lights give (per the consultants) - without the reality of bike patrols. No can do.
Details on all this here - http://www.ladycdesign.com/WRL
Posted on February 25, 2009 at 8:05 a.m.
None of the West Lawther light poles are on city street right of way. They are on the shoreline trail and the parking lots.
City streets require a light at corners, so not applicable here, nor is that in the plan.
These shoreline lights were DOA at the public hearing. Parks Department has already agreed to remove them and use them elsewhere.
City code does not require parking lots to be lit - unless they serve a specific nighttime use - such at the Dog Park. Otherwise, not required.
The shoreline is intrinsically dark - it has never been lit up - the park is primarily a natural area. Not a Walmart parking lot.
Read the reports at this site for more details http://www.ladycdesign.com/WRL
Posted on February 24, 2009 at 4:41 p.m.
Actually, the White Rock Lake Foundation never proposed 600+ light poles over 10 miles of trail. They proposed putting some lights on docks, some parking lots and some "dark places" on the trail (not sure what that means at night). As indicated on their website:
"Funds are needed to install lighting throughout White Rock Lake- in the parking lots, trail areas that may be less visible and dock and pier areas."
http://www.whiterocklakefoundation.or...
So the 10 mile light show must have been something the lighting consultants/ contractors dreamed up as their own "economic stimulus" project.
Posted on February 24, 2009 at 8:16 a.m.
Updated Back Story -
http://lakewood-now.net/view/article/...
OK except that the White Rock Lake Foundation only proposed lights at docks and some parking lots. Not the whole shoreline, not all of West Lawther, etc.
On Providing context for the White Rock Lake crime lights project
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Posted on March 5, 2009 at 8:44 p.m.
PARD has no money and no plans to light any of the trail. Docks will get re-lit, some parking lots, most buildings - over a long time. Should be a big improvement. Most of the 200 acre park will be preserved as a nice dark sky oasis. Bring a flashlight.
On White Rock Lake lights update -- 2/24/09