LED lighting system upgrades completed or about to get underway at local parks

Monday, February 17, 2025 - 11:56am

The Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department is coordinating a comprehensive lighting system upgrade at several Town facilities resulting in better lighting with less energy consumption at a lower cost.

A 2022 Wake Forest Bond Referendum initiative, the Relamp Project includes replacing metal halide light fixtures with more energy efficient and effective LED light fixtures at the following locations:

  • Flaherty Park pickleball/tennis courts, 1226 N. White St.

  • Flaherty Park fields 1, 2, and 3, 1100 N. White St.

  • Heritage High Park baseball/softball fields and tennis courts, 1150 Forestville Road.

The initiative also includes the installation of a new LED lighting system at Tyler Run Park, 830 Pineview Dr.

The work has been completed at the Flaherty Park tennis/pickleball courts and baseball/softball fields, is underway at Tyler Run Park, and will begin later this year at the Heritage High Park baseball/softball fields and tennis courts.

The LED lights produce significantly greater light output while using considerably less energy. LED bulbs use less power (watts) relative to the amount of light generated (lumens), while also helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions by saving energy. 

As an example, the previous metal-halide lighting fixtures at the Flaherty Park tennis/pickleball courts used 1,000-watt bulbs that required constant maintenance and used a considerable amount of energy. Thanks to the new LED fixtures, the power per fixture was reduced by 55%, to 450 watts, which provides brighter lighting and better color rendition, making it easier to see the ball.

At a total cost of just over $2 million, the Relamp Project is projected to result in significant energy and cost savings for many years to come.

The LED lights offer other benefits as well, including instant-on capability, unlike the metal halides which took several minutes to reach full brightness. LEDs also effectively carve out the area to be lighted with pinpoint precision, dramatically cutting off any impact on the surrounding area and creating a welcomed curtain of darkness for neighbors.

Finally, all PRCR fields and courts are now controlled by a state-of-the-art control and monitoring system that allows for remote on/off operations, dimming capabilities, and performance monitoring. By scheduling the lighting systems remotely, PRCR staff can eliminate problems associated with on-site panel box switches that allow anyone to activate the lights without authorization and prevent lights from being left on after use. Such a level of control and service ensures that the courts’ lighting can be managed efficiently, with minimal waste and maximum flexibility to meet the community's needs.

The PRCR Department wishes to thank the community for its patience and understanding throughout the Relamp Project. For more information, contact Athletics & Aquatics Manager Edward Austin at 919-435-9562 or [email protected].