New lights shine bright at Memorial Park
From left, Charles City Development Director Mark Wicks, Shawn Picht of Perry Novak Electrical, Dick Dietz, Jackie Moon, Jan Mulford, Janet Dunkel, Ann Schneckloff, Laurel Schlump and Shirley Kukhan gather in the Community Improvement Association's Memorial Park at the intersection of Clark and Brantingham streets to commemorate the installation of new light poles at each end of a public sitting area. Not pictured is Leon Mulford. Press photo by Kelly Terpstra
A newly constructed light pole at Memorial Park in Charles City. Press photo by Kelly Terpstra
By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com
Let there be light.
The recent addition of light poles to Memorial Park has made an already beautiful area shine even brighter in Charles City.
Memorial Park, owned by the City Improvement Association, was in need of lighting for the crosswalk that runs diagonally across the park from Brantingham Street to Clark Street.
Funding to install the LED lighting was awarded via a Cultural and Entertainment Grant by the Cultural and Entertainment Steering Committee. The estimated cost of the project was $5,267, with $2,633.50 coming from the Cultural and Entertainment Grant. An additional $1,200 came from donation of the light posts by Kamm Excavating and $1,433.50 was donated from the Andres Memorial Trust.
Janet Dunkel, co-chairwoman of the Memorial Park Committee, said the lights came from Garden Court on Main Street near what is now McQuillen Place. Kamm Excavating salvaged the light poles when the park was taken out. Shawn Picht of Perry Novak Electrical reconstructed the lights.
“The lenses got broken and so luckily enough they were still available as far as that style of acorn lens,” said Picht.
The park features a lighted fountain, crosswalk and four benches. It was dedicated on July 2, 1993.
“They look great,” said Dunkel.
There are electrical outlets on each lamp posts and the lights will provide light from dusk to sunrise throughout the year.
“It’s a win-win. It’s not only aesthetically more attractive but it’s safer anytime you’re walking in the dark,” said Mark Wicks, community development director in Charles City. “It also makes the park usable more now at night. It’s a great view, relaxing by the fountain.”
The CIA owns and maintains 11 parks in Charles City, including the Memorial Park.
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