Let There Be...More Energy Efficiency, Better Lighting At Tampa Parks News General, News Mayor Office, News Parks and Recreation, News Sustainability & Resilience The Parks and[...]

The Parks and Recreation Department is nearing completion of a sports lighting upgrade at three parks: Calvin Taylor Park, the Himes Avenue Sports Complex, and the Rowlett Activity Center.

Lights are up and shining at Calvin Taylor. Work is expected to be complete at Himes around March 20, with Rowlett scheduled to be completed by April 20.

Work at these three parks will cost about $2 million, with two more phases planned, bringing the total investment to approximately $6 million.

"In all, We are investing more than $6 million to upgrade our lighting at eight parks, with Himes, Calvin Taylor, and Rowlett being the first three," Mayor Jane Castor said. "Keeping our parks in tip-top shape isn't easy - or cheap - but we do our very best because without these facilities our community would not be the same."

Lighting adds playable hours, enhances safety, and delivers significant energy savings of about 40% savings.

"And because the new lights are directional and properly calibrated, there is significantly less glare and excess light into the sky, which helps neighboring homes," Parks and Recreation Director Ted Fowler said.

There are plans for two more stages of this sports lighting project. American Legion Park, Gadsden, and Perio & Albany are in phase two, with work expected to commence in 2026. Plymouth and Capaz parks will follow in phase three.