Title
Discuss and support use of decorative lighting on select trees and buildings within County parks and provide guidance to staff.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Parks Commission:
Discuss and support use of decorative lighting on select trees and buildings within County parks and provide guidance to staff.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
County of Monterey Parks and Lakes Division has received inquires from the public regarding the use of decorative and/or seasonal lighting within County parks. Many public park agencies and local jurisdictions install decorative lighting throughout their parks, especially during specific holidays. Lighting is typically white but at times more festive colored lights are installed.
Parks staff would like to explore the use of white lighting on a single tree at the front of each park with the trunk and lower limbs being wrapped. Not only would this provide additional lighting at the entrance to each park, but it could add a nostalgic ambiance that many community members will enjoy. For example, Parks could also install colored lighting to celebrate a variety of events such as green lighting for Mental Health Awareness Month and Veterans Day Operation Green Light, multicolored lighting for Pride Month, and red, white and blue for July Fourth. Lighting would be LED when possible and, in some instances, would be solar-powered. The cost of purchasing and installing the lighting would be minimal.
Staff requests that the Parks Commission discuss and support the use of seasonal and decorative lighting on select trees and buildings within County parks.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
Prepared by: Bryan Flores, Chief of Parks 831-796-6425
Approved by: Randy Ishii, M.S., P.E., P.T.O.E., Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks