Neighbors Concerned About Softball Field Lights

Monday night, the Recreation and Parks Commission discussed their plans with the Planning and Zoning Commission to put lights on the softball field at Lisa Dedrick Memorial Park.

But not everybody was thrilled with it.

The commission is proposing to put Musco lighting at the field to extend the hours softball can be played at the field. But several neighbors of the Dayton Road park voiced complaints with the proposal, saying it would negatively impact them.

“In just the past few years, we had a new shopping center, Cohanzie School is being torn down and now more lights,” said Phil Fowler, who lives at 37 Dayton Road. “It doesn’t make for a nice neighborhood anymore.”

Darren Chang of 57 Kenyon Road agreed. He said his house overlooks the field and his children would see the lights from their bedroom.

“My children won’t sleep at night,” he said. “Their window is facing the field.”

Still, Andrew Dyjak of Musco Sports Lighting LLC said there will be minimal light spill from the field, thanks to new innovations by Musco lighting. He said by using taller light polls that have filters on them, the light shines directly on the field and nowhere else.

The Proposal

The Waterford Junior and Senior Softball Leagues are pushing for the new lights so they can play more games on the field. The project will cost between $70,000 and $80,000, according to a proposal by the Recreation and Parks Commission.

Recreation and Parks Program Director Kerry Sullivan said that money will be mostly fundraised by the softball leagues. However, before any money can be raised, the proposal needs to be approved by the Waterford Planning and Zoning Commission.

The proposal puts four lights at the field, two in the infield and two in the outfield. Sullivan said there is already people willing to donate their time to wire the lights and dig the holes for the lights.

The Waterford Planning and Zoning Commission agreed to make a decision on the proposal at their next meeting. For the full argument on the reason for the lights, click here.