100+ solar lights coming to the Arkansas River Trail to help combat crime
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) - A project has been approved by the city that will place more than one hundred solar-powered LED lights along the Arkansas River Trail from Wildhorse Creek to Runyon Lake, all funded by a state grant.
All part of a wider initiative to combat crime through environmental upgrades, the project will also place some of those street lights in parks that the city has deemed "troubled".
You may have already noticed one such lamp at Waterworks Park along the Arkansas River Trail, where one has been installed so that Parks and Recreation planners could ensure it meets the project needs.
People walking their dogs or taking a stroll say they're now looking forward to more coming, and feeling safer, along what they call a hidden gem in Pueblo.
"It is really nice to have the security at night, especially since we do like to walk here around night time. Plus, it's a solar light, so I feel a lot better about its energy consumption," says a local, Colter Dewitt.
Parks and Recreation tells KRDO13 that solar also means they're cost-effective.
"A lot more substantial savings and, just outright purchasing of them and getting them installed. Plus, we don't have an electrical bill, ever," says Pueblo Parks and Recreation Director, Steven Meier.
Locals say they'd love to walk the trail at night, but come dusk, it just gets too dark.
"These lights will help make people feel more at ease using the trail system. And that's been the biggest complaint. This is just a dark place down here along the trail, and you're along the river. You're down the woods," says Meier.
Pueblo has seen success with this strategy before, says the city. Lighting upgrades in other parks have proven to have a positive impact.
"We've seen a reduction in crime in those parks that we have the lights in. We're on our second phase along with these. So...we're doing another 4 or 5 parks with some lights," says Meier.
The Parks and Rec Department says walkers and cyclists will start seeing more lights pop up on Main Street soon, and because they're easy to install, all one hundred twelve should be in place by this spring.
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