McCormick Park set to light the night

Groups join to install field lighting at McCormick Park softball fields

By John Brewington

The South County Spotlight, Jun 17, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Light show - Here’s an illustrated example of the type of new “green” lights planned for the McCormick Park softball fields in St. Helens.

Submitted by Musco Lighting / The South County Spotlight

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St. Helens’ love affair with softball will be further romanced this summer with the installation of field lighting at the two McCormick Park adult softball fields.

Getting the funding for the project wasn’t easy, and installing the lights in the basalt rocks just underneath the field continues to pose challenges.

When finished by the target date in mid-July, the fields will have a state-of-the-art Musco lighting system, computer designed and guaranteed for 25 years. The new system is considered “green” for energy usage and neighborhood friendly with limited illumination spillover.

David Mileti, a representative of the adult softball leagues in St. Helens and Scappoose, first approached the St. Helens Parks Commission about lighting the field almost two years ago. The softball leagues had raised $15,000 towards the project and Mileti was hoping to move it forward.

What evolved from the concept phase is a $205,000 project that will not only result in the installation of 10 light poles, but also the grading and re-sodding of the field playing surfaces, a new irrigation system and a small paved area around the concession stands.

The McCormick Park fields were developed in the 1980s with men’s slowpitch in mind. The slowpitch league had been booted from the Campbell Park field they built after a prolonged battle with a homeowner who had erected a house in left field. The new fields had been part of a long-range plan.

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