Case study February 2026
Port Townsend, WA
EverGen
When fading winter daylight cut short after-school access at a popular skate park, Port Townsend turned to solar lighting to keep the fun going year-round.
Since opening in 2006, the Seamus Sims Skate Park has served as a popular gathering place for Port Townsend’s youth. But during the fall and winter months—when daylight fades as early as 4 p.m.—the park sat largely unused, and kids and teens lost access to one of the few safe places to spend time outdoors after school.
That challenge caught the attention of Port Townsend High School student and avid skater Samantha Stromberg. For her senior project, she launched a petition that garnered more than 2,000 signatures, followed by a GoFundMe campaign that raised $20,000. The funds covered nearly half of the total project cost and prompted City Council to fund the balance.
City leaders sought a solution that would provide evening access without creating long-term budget strain. Extending traditional wired lighting to the park would have required trenching through pavement, installing conduit, and absorbing ongoing utility costs—an expensive and disruptive approach for a well-used public facility.
Solar lighting offered a simpler path. With no trenching or grid connection required, installation moved forward quickly without cutting into existing concrete, and once the lights were in place, there was no cost to operate them.
After reviewing proposals from multiple vendors, the City selected Sol’s EverGen-M high-power solar lighting systems. Engineered with substantial solar collection and battery capacity to perform in Port Townsend’s northern climate—where winter daylight is limited and overcast conditions are common—the systems can operate for up to four days without any solar insolation.
Durable construction and protective coatings help withstand salty sea air, while Dark Sky–friendly fixtures direct light downward onto the skate surface, minimizing spill into the surrounding neighborhood. A programmed dimming schedule delivers full illumination during peak evening hours and reduces output later at night, aligning performance with both park activity and available solar energy.
With lighting in place, the skate park now stays open until 10 p.m., restoring after-school access even during the shortest days of winter. Improved visibility enhances safety and supports consistent evening use, ensuring the park remains active and welcoming year-round.
The project demonstrates how local advocacy, thoughtful planning, and high-performance solar lighting can extend the use of public space after dark, even in challenging northern locations.
