Clark Park and Tucker Park Lighting

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Two community parks in Hiawatha – Clark Park and Tucker Park – have paved walking trails frequently used in the early morning and late evening hours. To improve the parks’ security and functionality, the City wanted to install lighting that would look nice and allow users to feel more comfortable while also being easy to operate and within budget.

To ensure that Hiawatha would be happy with the outcome of the two projects, a variety of suitable product options were obtained so that the City could pick the best aesthetics. High-resolution aerial images from drones and architectural renderings of the existing site were input into lighting calculation software to create 3D models of what the lighting would look like when installed. This helped the design team accurately choose the number of lights needed to perform how the City wanted. The models also allowed city staff to walk the trails virtually and see where the lighting would be placed before anything was installed and how well the chosen light fixtures would illuminate the parks.

Hiawatha asked that its existing stock of light fixture poles be used instead of buying new ones to save costs. The light fixtures’ design and specifications were therefore tailored to what would work with these poles, and they were custom-finished to match the poles’ unique color.

The City of Hiawatha easily operates the lighting at Clark and Tucker Parks, using a control system that lets them turn on the lights only when needed and coincides with the parks’ operating hours so that people do not use the parks at night. This was especially needed at Tucker Park, which is in a residential area, so the lighting usage should be mindful of neighbors’ needs.

Hiawatha also needed to illuminate its new Plaza, which is located in the green space by City Hall, to showcase the vibrant area along the city’s main thoroughfare and public events like concerts and movie nights.

The goal of the lighting design team was to highlight and complement the Plaza’s unique architectural design, with its triangular shape and variety of seating options. Multiple layers of lighting were used, from small lighted bollards along the tiered seating walls to tall poles strategically placed throughout the site to provide general illumination that changes color to match seasons and event themes.

As with the parks, an easy-to-use control system was designed that integrated all of the lighting pieces, including lighting that came prepackaged with the fountains. The system is tailored to the City’s use, depending on the event or season, and the lighting layout ensures every spot of the Plaza is well-lit for night events.