Posted on: July 23, 2021

In July 2021, the Glen Ellyn Park District replaced more than 200 existing light fixtures with energy-saving LED fixtures at Main Street Recreation Center, 501 Hill Avenue, Glen Ellyn.

Not only will these lights save 11,880 kilowatt hours of electricity and an estimated $3,806 in energy costs annually, but they also help reduce landfill waste and maintenance costs as they require less frequent replacement.

More than 50% of the project was funded by the ComEd Public Sector Small Facilities grant.

“With the assistance of the grant and the annual cost savings, the remainder of the project cost will be paid back within three years,” said Parks Project Manager Nathan Troia. “Because of the long-term reliability of the bulbs, they won’t need to be replaced for 10-15 years.”

“The new lighting system is equipped with both ambient light sensors, which automatically adjust when there is daylight, and occupancy light sensors,” Troia continued. “This continual adjustment to the amount of natural light ensures that only the minimal amount of electricity is used on an already hyper-efficient LED bulb.”

During the process, exterior lights at the facility were also converted to dark-sky compliant LED. The new LED fixtures are the same brightness as the previous incandescent bulbs, but minimize glare and blue light emissions, thereby reducing light pollution.

“Converting Main Street Recreation Center to LED fixtures is of great benefit to not only the taxpayers, but also the environment. As a District, we are continually looking for ways to reduce our energy consumption. This project is just the latest in a long list of sustainable and green initiatives in our parks,” said Troia.

Some of the District’s other green initiatives have included installing solar panels at the Lake Ellyn Boathouse, energy-efficient regenerative filters at Sunset Pool, bioswales at Ackerman Park, electric vehicle charging stations at Maryknoll and Sunset Parks, rain gardens, and co-hosting events such as the annual Holiday Lights Recycling program, Earth Day Fair, Glen Ellyn Native Tree & Shrub Sale, and a Pumpkin Smash composting event.