Albany’s riverfront Dave Clark Trail now has to be the most brightly lit thoroughfare in town, as I think you’ll see if you click on the video and join me for a nighttime ride.
The contractor finished installing 80 poles and lights along the 1.2-mile path about two weeks ago, and I thought it was about time that I try them out. Which I did at about 10 o’clock Monday night.
First impression: Those LEDs are BRIGHT! (So much so that they dazzled me into confusing, at one point, right and left, as you’ll hear when you listen to the somewhat breathless narration.)
Nobody else was on the path at that hour, no walkers or strollers, no other people on bikes, no homeless people looking for a place to camp. No muggers either. Nobody.
The lights cover the entire length of the off-street portion of the trail, but there are none on the two-block extension along Front Avenue, which pretty well ensured that this video venture would end in the dark.
The city’s downtown urban renewal program, CARA, spent $298,008 on the lights in its continuing quest to prevent blight and bring more people downtown. Monday night it was just me, but come summer and balmy nights, I expect there will be many more. (hh)
Money well spent, especially for those who walk home after Monday or Thursday night concerts in the summer
Thank you for the ride along, HH!
Two thoughts:
1.) Heard concern that the lights will be too bright for Monteith events such as River Rhythms.
2.) There is a sign posted along path just west of Wheelhouse. That sign says “No Pubilc Access” I believe. Gives the impression, to me at least, that the path is private at that point east.
I walk that trail on a regular basis usually in the pre-dawn hours. Never have had an issue, but glad to have the lights. If you traverse it enough there are regular things to see; the Rotary Club of Greater Albany pruned, trimmed and spread mulch around the Senior Center, Albany PD walks around Monteith Park on a regular basis, the stage at Monteith needs maintenance – it shows well in the new lights. The lights also high light the tripping hazards of the broken sidewalk, I particularly enjoy dodging the sprinklers that are watering the Willamette River. Still, the lights are a huge improvement and thank you Sandy Roberts for advocating for them, thank you CARA for helping with the financing.
A helpful point may be to have the P&R Dept put up some kind of makers along the path. Like street signs to enable someone not familiar with the area, if they needed help, to be able to tell 911 exactly where they are. Though Water Ave does run alongside for some areas a user may not know where they are. JE