Legends Court Lighting ProposalLegends Court
Lighting Proposal
498 Ryan Road Florence
League Legends is an all volunteer Northampton
based non-profit established in 2008
Project Diagram
Legends Court is a tribute to our late
friends David Holman and Miles Adams
with whom the founders of League
Legends played basketball with at night
during our time as Northampton High
School students.
**The court will be the only publically lit
outdoor recreational space in
Northampton.
Chapter 350. Zoning § 350-12.2. Lighting.
Goals:
- It is the intent of this section to establish light standards that result in lighting systems that are
designed, constructed, and installed to control glare and light trespass, minimize obtrusive light,
conserve energy and resources while maintaining safety, visibility, security of individuals and
property, and curtailing the degradation of the nighttime visual environment. All standards within
this section must be met unless the Planning Board explicitly grants a waiver through site plan
approval for lighting that does not conform to these standards. Such waivers may be granted if and
only if these goals are being achieved and increased energy efficiency is achieved.
- Evenly distributed lighting throughout a site will minimize impacts on surrounding neighborhoods
and increases efficiency. By directing light where it is needed and only the intensity necessary to
serve the intended purpose, these standards will prevent glare and its harsh shadows and blind
spots.
Project vs Ordinance
Criteria Legends Court Ordinance
Cut Off Fixtures yes yes
fc at Property Line 0fc 0fc
Foot Candle (fc) Max 20fc 3fc
Fixture Mounting Angle 85 degrees 90 degrees
Pole Height 20 ft 16 feet
*Color Temp *5000k *3000k
*color temp criteria doesn’t currently exist in ordinance
General Details About The Project
Will be the only lighted public recreational area in Northampton
6 poles / 6 fixtures (3 on each sideline of the court)
Lights will come on at dusk everyday with use of a light sensor
Lights out at 930 pm
Lights will be turned out when there’s snow on the ground TBD
**In the future the space will be used for an outdoor ice skating rink with the lights
on dusk-930 year round
Fixtures and angle
235 watt
Full Cut Off
Set to 85 degree angle
Foot candles on the court
90 degree fixture angle (16 foot poles)
85 degree fixture angle (20 ft poles)
*Goal is to be 15 fc in the middle minimum
and have relative uniformity light distribution
0 Foot Candles at
Property Line
*Additionally the
lights will serve as
as a security
measure for the
school and for
additional safety in
the adjacent parking
lot
Comparable Locations In The Area Foot Candles
Northampton High School Football Field 52 fc
Maine’s Softball Field Florence 48 fc
Holyoke High School Basketball Court 38 fc
Walmart Parking Lot (by entrance)36 fc
Ryan Rd Security Lights (in back)10 fc
Ryan Rd School Parking Lot 2 fc
Legends Court 20 fc
*Foot candle readings found using “Light Companion” app on Samsung Galaxy S7 phone
Holyoke Court vs Ordinance Court
Color Temperature
Additional Option
Additionally motion sensors can be added so that when the basketball court isn’t
being used the lights will operate at levels more in line with city ordinance
Conclusion
This design meets the absolute minimum needs of the basketball court while
making every effort to achieve the goals outlined by the city ordinance
As a public lighted recreation space this project is unique and perhaps the first of
others but sets a precedent that is a very high standard for others to strive for in
the future.
The design is done on the low end of on all criteria discussed and might be
underdone
The lights are out at 930 pm (summer solstice sunset is as late as 8:31)