Seattle Residents for Fair Field Lighting
"Fields For All - Not Just Some"

Community-Responsive Design - At the earliest field design stage and prior to seeking levy funding, convene a design committee comprised of not less than 50% of neighbors most adversely affected by lights (neighbors within 1/2 mile of the field). Planners and neighbors together should develop "community goals" for lighting, as outlined in "Community Responsive Design," chapter 3 of Lighting for Exterior Environments, the recommended practice of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (pp. 3-8).

Light trespass should be limited to the greatest extent possible. On many football and soccer fields, lighting engineers believe they can now contain light trespass to 0.1 footcandle from any plane across private property lines. When light trespass cannot be so limited, it must be demonstrated why not. At a minimum, light trespass onto private property should be contained at least according to the environmental zoning guidelines of Lighting for Exterior Environments, the recommended practice of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (pp. 10-12). [See attached lighting engineer's report showing how light trespass can be contained to the greatest extent possible.]

A point-by-point readout of vertical footcandle levels of a 100-foot wall around the perimeter of the lighted area should be used to measure whether light trespass levels from any angle are within recommended limits.

Brightness and glare should be contained with aiming angles and shielding and hooding (use of visors) of luminaires such that the brightness from any luminaire is not objectionable off site. [See attached report.]

Skyglow (upward light trespass) should also be contained to the greatest extent possible. A rough estimate of upward light trespass should be measured with a point-by-point readout of a black ceiling at approximately the mounting height of the luminaires.

Views - To best contain light trespass and glare with least disruption of views, place poles as close as safely possible to the field.

Aesthetics - To avoid visual clutter, strive for fewest number of luminaires on fewest number of poles, with thinnest poles possible.

Single-purpose lighting - To ensure maximal containment of light, design lighting systems for a single type of sport (for either bi-directional sports like soccer/football/rugby or multi-directional sports like baseball/softball).