Oxnard mayor proposes five-park pilot to extend hours and add sports, pathway lighting

Mayor Mc MacArthur told the INCO general membership on July 1 that the city should revisit its policy of closing parks at dusk and consider a pilot program installing sports and pathway lighting at five parks to extend usable hours for people who work typical daytime schedules.

"What I'm proposing on doing is for us to really take a look at that policy," the mayor said, outlining a proposal to identify five pilot sites — Southwest Community Park, Pleasant Valley Park, Southwinds Park, Beck Park and Connelly Park — and to inventory city park lighting before wider roll‑out.

The proposal couples a policy change (modifying park hours) with infrastructure investments in LEDs and remotely controllable fixtures so the city can dim or switch lights off as needed. The mayor said the goal was to give residents, youth teams and older adults safer, more usable hours for exercise and community events while protecting nearby residents' privacy: "we also don't want to impede upon the privacy of residents that may... butt up right against a park and to have a shine a light shone right into their window," he said.

Neighborhood chairs and residents gave detailed responses. Supporters said lighting can increase recreational access and reduce the problems that occur when dark parks attract illegal activity. Roger Porier, who said he served on the parks and recreation commission, described newer installations that expanded community use and urged flexibility on which parks receive upgrades.

Opponents and cautious voices raised quality‑of‑life and environmental concerns. "Sports lighting is... light pollution," one resident said, adding worries about parking, double‑parking and late‑night gatherings. Neighbors flagged potential noise, illegal dumping and the need to avoid shining light into homes.

City staff and the mayor addressed technical and programmatic questions: public works oversees park lighting; pilot park selection considered size, parking and existing use; LED fixtures can be dimmed or turned off remotely; the city can pursue memoranda of understanding with schools to expand field availability; and restroom availability and other amenities may be added if a pilot shows demand. A park ranger program is under study as a separate staff report.

No formal action or vote was taken at the INCO meeting. The mayor asked neighborhood councils for feedback before advancing the pilot to the committee and ultimately the full city council for decision. Staff signaled they could target starting the pilot as early as January if neighborhoods support it.

Next steps: the mayor will seek neighborhood council input on the five identified parks and on siting and hours; staff will provide cost and technical details and return the matter for committee and council consideration.