RECENT COMMENTS

New lights for Chimborazo Playground

After several years without lighting at the Chimborazo Playground, new lights were recently installed through the generosity of Custom Designed Controls, LLC, a Georgia-based lighting design, manufacturing and contracting company. The offer to replace the lights was made by one of the company owners who lives in the Church Hill area. He kindly donated the company’s time, labor and materials to rewire all the circuits and, once approval was received, eleven new lights were installed by mid-November. In addition, Custom Design Controls lowered one of the basketball backboards to its proper height and installed a new net on another backboard.

The installation was coordinated with and supported by the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (PRCF). They replaced two damaged poles and installed push-button switches for on-demand lighting of the basketball and petanque court areas. The new lights have immediately improved the safety of the playground and recreation area. On-demand light timers will allow for early evening activities to take place during the winter months until about 8:30 PM. There are two lighting circuits – one for the basketball courts and a second one for the petanque courts.

The offer to install the new lights was made to Bridgette Huff and Shawn Noroian, co-founders of the Friends of Chimborazo Playground, several months ago. PRCF approved the plan and the installation was completed just before Thanksgiving. This is the first step in the planned improvements to the Playground. Improving the playground’s safety has been one of the Friends’ and neighborhood residents’ top priorities and with the new lights, the playground will be a much safer place.

The Boulefrogs of Church Hill petanque club is extremely happy with the lights and will be using the new system when they play Thursday evenings. Basketball players who like to brave the cold will be able to extend their playing time, as well.

Again, on behalf of the Friends of Chimborazo Playground, The Boulefrogs of Church Hill and the neighbors of the Playground, many thanks go out to Custom Designed Controls and PRCF for their generous support of all who use the playground.