PORTLAND, Ore. — A plan to replace dozens of light poles in 11 parks across Portland to improve safety is nearly complete. Crews have removed and replaced light poles in eight of the parks, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) said.
Last year, the city inspected 1,000 light poles in different parks and found that 243 of them were not safe and needed to be removed. Some of the lights were more than 100 years old.
"I know there is lack of lighting all around the parks, so I appreciate them looking out for pedestrian safety,” said Maddy May, who frequently walks her dog Ziggy at Irving Park. “I don’t come at night here very often but if I did, I’d feel a lot safer.”
Crews started replacing lights at Mt. Tabor Park on Monday as part of the Light Pole Safety Project. Work at Mt. Tabor Park could continue into July, depending on the weather and the availability of materials, but PP&R said crews aim to complete the work as quickly as possible. Paths may be closed off at times and the park will be darker than usual during construction, but a contractor is looking into potentially installing temporary park lights during the project, PP&R said.
"I am so excited about the new light poles. I think it's going to make the park a lot safer, especially as a woman in Portland," said Grace Cross, an Irving Park-goer and preschool teacher. "Being able to walk or run at night. And they also look super sturdy, so they are much safer than the original light poles that we had."
After Mt. Tabor Park, the final two parks left are Lair Hill Park and Ladds Circle Park.
The following eight parks have newly installed lights, according to PP&R:
- Colonel Summers Park
- Sellwood Riverfront Park
- Irving Park
- Sellwood Park
- Montavilla Park
- Mt. Scott Park
- Wallace Park
- Woodstock Park
The new LED lights are 66% more efficient than the bulbs they are replacing, according to PP&R. The new fixtures are designed to direct light toward pathways, and they prevent light pollution that could impact wildlife or nearby homes.
This also comes after a light pole fell on a young boy and his caretaker in Irving Park back in 2022. They hung a hammock between a light pole and a tree - seriously injuring the child.
“Actually I was teaching when it happened,” said Cross. “They were in critical condition. I had a dad from one of the preschools helping lift the light post off of them. Yeah, super traumatic and scary.”
PP&R requested $2 million of its share of Metro's Parks and Nature Bond, Local Share for the project, which Metro approved. Addition federal earmarks for the project were secured.
The Light Pole Safety Project is expected to wrap up in fall 2024.
Through the project, PP&R established a partnership with Portland General Electric and crews installed other lighting at parks in the city — including Lents Park and Peninsula Crossing Trail — by using existing power poles.