Artesia News

City of Artesia Lights Up Artesia Park

Andrew Perry


The city of Artesia has brought new light to Artesia Park because of public safety concerns. Utility buildings, the community center, and one of the bathrooms have also been completely repainted, and the community center has been re-roofed.

Over the years, the wooden light poles in Artesia Park have rotted out and were almost falling over. One section of the park, along South St., was completely dark; it has been a problem area for minor crimes such as graffiti, “thievery”, and late night drinking, according to Public Works Consultant Chuck Burkhardt. This area of the park has now been lit up as of Jan. 28 with the installation of two floodlights. 21 new light poles to replace the old ones have also been installed in the park in a two-phase project, costing $39,698.

The old, wooden poles have been replaced with steel plated ones, and the new lights run on lower energy then those prior, in order to conserve energy.
Burkhardt said, “Along with the park being well lighted, the safety issue has been important to all … a park should be well lit.”

As far as graffiti, Burkhardt reports that over the month that the lights have been in place, there has been a “noticeable” decrease in graffiti.

“Well-lit areas act as deterrence to would-be vandals,” said Burkhardt.

The repainting of the buildings is almost finished, and the last major work left is painting the bathroom on Elaine Ave. The roof on the community center, now over a month old, has gone through its first major trial during the recent storms.

Burkhardt also remarked, “The new roof on the Community Center is proving to be a good product, it has not leaked, and sure has been put to the test.”

A.J. Padelford Park is the next target for Artesia’s Public Works, and the city is currently taking bids for the project.

For more information regarding park lighting or public safety, call (562) 865-6262.

 

 

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