City's First Solar-Powered Park Lights

Councilmember Tom LaBonge, actor Ed Begley, Jr. and city parks and police officials switched on the first solar-powered lights in a Los Angeles public park last night, illuminating the way to a more energy-efficient, cost-effective future in park management here.
Twenty-eight new lights shined over an exercise station and jogging path in the interior of North Hollywood Park, 11455 Magnolia Blvd in North Hollywood. Scores of fitness buffs worked out and jogged by during the ceremony.
“It’s very gratifying to see so many people out exercising and enjoying the park tonight,” said Councilmember LaBonge. “These new lights will allow people to exercise here safely late into the evening without adding energy costs that, frankly, the city can’t afford right now.”
Added Mr. Begley, an ardent environmental activist whose nickname is the King of Green, “The city demonstrated real fiscal prudence by waiting until the solar power industry came up with lights that were both energy-efficient and affordable. Congratulations to Councilmember LaBonge and the management at the parks department for their environmental leadership.”
Jon Kirk Mukri, General Manager of the city’s Department of Recreation and Parks said the North Hollywood lights are a pilot project that his department will expand upon quickly. Solar lights are planned for two more parks, with three other parks planned for the near future.
“I’m particularly proud of this project because when we put it out to bid, the estimate came back at $500,000. Our own city crews installed it instead and the cost was $263,000, about half as much,” Mr. Mukri said. The cost of the project was covered by Quimby funds, which are amassed through fees from condominium developers in the area, Mr. Mukri added.