Lighting the way forward

How close collaboration ensured a new lighting system could work for its community.

The story

Take a walk through the park in one of Ottawa’s oldest neighbourhoods, and you’ll find an oasis in the heart of the city, beautifully set below street level.

You’ll see residents sun-bathing, taking wedding photos, enjoying theatre, or just walking their dogs. It’s a beloved space for a variety of activities, but it’s more than just a park.

Lighting the way forward

How close collaboration ensured a new lighting system could work for its community.

The story

Take a walk through the park in one of Ottawa’s oldest neighbourhoods, and you’ll find an oasis in the heart of the city, beautifully set below street level.

You’ll see residents sun-bathing, taking wedding photos, enjoying theatre, or just walking their dogs. It’s a beloved space for a variety of activities, but it’s more than just a park.

This park is one of the reasons a well established neighbourhood association exists. In the ’60s residents rallied together to form an organization to advocate for a liveable, sustainable, and diverse urban neighbourhood

– and that includes preserving the area’s green spaces. It’s no wonder, then, that residents wanted their voices heard when they learned about a transformative lighting project in their beloved community park.

The project stemmed from a need to improve the lighting along the pathway. The existing pole-mounted lights were nearing the end of their life and didn’t provide enough coverage. To create a more comfortable environment for the public, the plan was to elevate the light levels while employing a more energy-efficient solution.

It was important, however, to consult with the community. With several homes bordering the park, the lighting had to be effective but non-intrusive for residents.

Envari was engaged to help. With decades of experience in stakeholder relations and flexible design, Envari had the expertise to deliver a turnkey solution that could meet everyone’s needs. That included engineering, procuring, and installing the energy-efficient upgrade.

To start, all parties agreed on a decorative coach lantern to enhance the park’s aesthetic. Not only does the heritage-style fixture complement the neighbourhood’s charming nature, but it also uses advanced LED technology to conserve energy. In addition to tripling the number of poles along the pathway, different lighting distributions were also used to maximize the light output itself.

What’s more important, however, is how Envari embraced input from the community and took a number of steps to protect the residences. This included using a warmer, more comfortable light temperature as well a specific distribution type for the luminaires closest to the homes, ensuring the light wouldn’t be cast backward into people’s yards or windows.

The luminaires were procured as dark-sky compliant, meaning they’re designed to direct light toward the ground, not into the sky, to reduce light pollution.

What’s more important, however, is how Envari embraced input from the community and took a number of steps to protect the residences. This included using a warmer, more comfortable colour temperature as well a specific distribution type for the luminaires closest to the homes, ensuring the light wouldn’t be cast backward into people’s yards or windows.

The luminaires were procured as dark-sky compliant, meaning they’re designed to direct light toward the ground, not into the sky, to reduce light pollution.

As a final measure, Envari recommended using house-side light shields to further reduce light trespass. In addition to these efforts, some poles were physically moved or shortened to ensure residents had a clear view of the park from their homes.

From start to finish, close collaboration with the community was paramount to the success of the project. In such a uniquely urban yet residential environment, many factors had to be considered, and Envari had to be flexible while still adhering to regulations. It’s a prime example of how lighting can be enhanced without compromising the historical integrity of a space. And how people can work together toward a shared goal.

Let’s light the way forward with an energy-efficient solution as tailored as it is beautiful.

Have a lighting project in mind? We’ll be your single point of contact for any municipal, industrial, commercial, or institutional lighting transformation.

Browse similar stories:

Smudging and HVAC

Helping a school board engage its Indigenous community

Read this story

Lights, control, action...reaction.

How a smart lighting system provided resiliency to a major institution.

Read this story

Transforming a building's purpose.

How finding the right balance is key to retro-commissioning an HVAC system.

Read this story

Back. In a breeze.

How a major school board improved air quality during a critical time.

Read this story

Unmasking a BAS opportunity.

How a commercial real estate company put its energy waste on lockdown.

Read this story

Lighting the way forward

How close collaboration ensured a new lighting system could work for its community.

Lighting the way forward

How close collaboration ensured a new lighting system could work for its community.

This park is one of the reasons a well established neighbourhood association exists. In the ’60s residents rallied together to form an organization to advocate for a liveable, sustainable, and diverse urban neighbourhood

It was important, however, to consult with the community. With several homes bordering the park, the lighting had to be effective but non-intrusive for residents.

The luminaires were procured as dark-sky compliant, meaning they’re designed to direct light toward the ground, not into the sky, to reduce light pollution.

The luminaires were procured as dark-sky compliant, meaning they’re designed to direct light toward the ground, not into the sky, to reduce light pollution.

As a final measure, Envari recommended using house-side light shields to further reduce light trespass. In addition to these efforts, some poles were physically moved or shortened to ensure residents had a clear view of the park from their homes.

Let’s light the way forward with an energy-efficient solution as tailored as it is beautiful.

Let’s light the way forward with an energy-efficient solution as tailored as it is beautiful.

Have a lighting project in mind? We’ll be your single point of contact for any municipal, industrial, commercial, or institutional lighting transformation.

Browse similar stories:

Contact Us

Contactez-nous