Park Lighting Strategy
The Halifax Regional Municipality has over 900 parks in urban, suburban and rural settings that are used for a variety of recreation and leisure purposes. In some circumstances, parks are also locations through which people travel between destinations. While parks are typically used during daylight hours, park lighting needs to be considered to accommodate evening use as well. Currently, there is no formal process to evaluate when and where lighting might be installed, and which parks, or areas within parks, should be prioritized.
A Park Lighting Strategy is being developed to address the safe use and passageway in parks. The information gathered through this survey will help shape the process, criteria, prioritization, and design of spaces within parks that could be considered for lighting.
The engagement program is organized into two tasks:
Task 1 includes a few questions about you and preferences for lighting.
Task 2 includes interactive maps for you to highlight your experiences in parks as they relate to lighting.
The engagement program will be available from May 15 to June 18, 2023. Paper copies of the survey can also be collected from all branches of the Halifax Public Libraries. If you require special accommodation to participate in the engagement program, please contact Stephen Cushing at cushins@halifax.ca.
In accordance with Section 485 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA), any personal information collected in this survey will only be used by municipal staff and, if necessary, individuals and/or organizations under service contract with the Halifax Regional Municipality for purposes relating to the development of the municipal Park Lighting Strategy, and the information will not be presented or compiled in a manner that could potentially identify any respondent. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this personal information, please contact the Access and Privacy Office at 902.943.2148 or privacy@halifax.ca.
Pathways in Parks Between Destinations
There are many situations where pathways through parks are the most direct and sometimes, the only reasonable connection to transit, shopping, school, work, and recreation. Lighting can make travel routes more visible and may be essential in circumstances where there are limited alternatives in travelling between destinations. There are also multi-use pathways that run through parks that are part of the core active transportation network.
Before you add a pin to the map, please complete the Task 1 survey questions to let us know who we are reaching.
From the menu on the left of the page, drag pins to the map to identify:
- Pathways that are unsafe due to a lack of, or poor-quality lighting. Think about brightness, darkness, glare or reflection, gaps in lighting, lack of visibility, hidden hazards, hidden signage or landmarks, etc.
- Pathways that have good examples of lighting. Think about light quality, coverage, visibility, beauty/aesthetics, etc.
Please explain why you selected these locations in the comment section. Feel free to upload a photo if it helps to explain your reasoning.
Park Facilities
A lighting strategy could address and formalize approaches for the lighting of many park facilities such as sport courts, skate parks, pavilions, gazebos, parking lots, washrooms, etc. The intention is not to provide 24-hour lighting for facilities but rather to extend their use until the park's closing hours (typically 10:00 p.m.), particularly during the winter and shoulder seasons. Please note that lighting for playing fields and ball diamonds is not included in this Strategy as there are separate programs that guide their management.
If you haven't already, please complete the Task 1 survey questions to let us know who we are reaching.
From the menu on the left of the page, drag pins to the map to identify:
- Existing facilities within parks where lighting would improve your ability to use a space after dark.
- Existing facility in a park that is currently lighted that cause issues. Think about light quality, brightness, glare, direction, trespass onto neighbours, etc.
- Existing facility in a park that is lighted and is a good example. Think about light quality, direction, coverage, visibility of park users, etc.
Please explain why you selected these locations in the comment section. Feel free to upload a photo if it helps to explain your reasoning.
Placemaking Lighting
In addition to the safe lighting of parks and pedestrian travel routes, placemaking lighting can operate as ambient and supplemental lighting to make park spaces more comfortable and social until a park’s closed hours. Placemaking lighting also creates a sense of place and improves outdoor experiences highlighting features such as fountains, trees, monuments, public art, seating areas and plazas.
If you haven't already, please complete the Task 1 survey questions to let us know who we are reaching.
From the menu on the left of the page, drag pins to the map to identify:
- Areas or features within parks that would benefit from placemaking lighting. Think about beauty/aesthetics, portrayal of a community story, user comfort, extended hours for socializing, etc.
- Existing placemaking lighting that is well done. Think about light quality, spacing and coverage, visibility of park users, beauty/aesthetics, space animation, etc.
- Existing placemaking lighting that is poorly done. Think about light quality, brightness, glare, direction, trespass onto neighbours, etc.
Please explain why you selected these locations in the comment section. Feel free to upload a photo if it helps to explain your reasoning.
Who's Listening
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Email cushins@halifax.ca
