Parks and recreation projects are often celebrated as community beacons, announcing new or improved spaces for leisure and family activities.
However, beneath the surface of these idyllic green spaces lies a maze of electrical utilities that are crucial to modern amenities in parks but are often overlooked. If left unseen and unaddressed by an electrical engineer in the design phase, these utilities can pose significant challenges with a park project. Unexpected rerouting of underground electrical infrastructure or unplanned replacement of electrical equipment during construction can add costs and delays to project completion. Or if the electrical infrastructure isn’t addressed at all, possible safety concerns can linger. The ultimate goal of park development is not just to create beautiful spaces but also to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all visitors, allowing them to return home without incident.
Bad Examples
Examples of neglected or outdated electrical infrastructure in parks include obsolete, corroded, or damaged equipment; accessible electrical boxes vulnerable to public tampering; and exposed wires. Aged equipment, such as feeder and circuit breakers, may no longer perform their intended safety function of clearing an electrical fault or overload if one were to happen. Additionally, outdated HID or fluorescent lighting systems use more energy and increase operating costs than newer LED technology.
Why Electrical Utilities are Often Overlooked
The excitement of new amenities offered can easily take the spotlight when planning for park and rec projects. The new or improved space above ground often shadows the consideration of underground electrical utilities. While communities eagerly anticipate the installation of playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas, as they can visualize themselves using those spaces, the essential support systems necessary for these facilities are often an afterthought.
Properties earmarked for park development may have been set aside for decades without reassessment for new projects. This lack of review, compounded by insufficient formal documentation of existing electrical infrastructure on an as-built drawing, contributes to uncertainty about the current infrastructure. Oral historical knowledge of the system often exists within communities. The information lies with the individual who did the work or observed the work being done. When they leave, so does the knowledge of the electrical infrastructure.
Without formal documentation, it can be unclear how power gets from electrical equipment at one end of the park to the other and at best assumptions are made that can only be confirmed during a thorough, in-person review by an electrical design professional. As these lines are owned by the municipality and not public utility, they are not marked when Diggers Hotline is called, unless the municipality is a member with Diggers Hotline and has them listed. A private locate company must be hired to mark private lines that are not listed with Diggers Hotline.
It’s easy to have an out-of-sight, out-of-mind mentality about the electrical infrastructure as it’s buried beneath the ground and equipment often hidden on the back side of buildings in locked boxes or closets within buildings. It often only comes to mind when the lights don’t turn on or more power is needed at the concessions stand.
Parks, historically developed piecemeal over time through community efforts, often lack comprehensive planning and documentation. Park amenities typically are added piece by piece over the years as funding allows and are often constructed though the efforts of the well-intentioned, passionate, hardworking community that may have no experience with planning park electrical infrastructure. The project gets built, celebrated, and enjoyed, but the electrical infrastructure doesn’t get documented. Future work will depend on the knowledge of individuals involved in the grassroots project.
Common Misconceptions
More often than not, electrical scoping and budgeting for a brand-new site isn’t overlooked in the planning stages. It is when new amenities and improvements are made to existing park and rec spaces that project budgets often fail to include the necessary electrical scope. The issues often come when tying into existing electrical infrastructure and having to maintain services if the park project is completed in phases. Planning for the future park improvements and considering how to tie them into planned improvements is imperative to the process.
Clients often assume that the existing electrical utility service and infrastructure can handle new projects and future expansions, failing to plan for the necessary replacement or upgrades to the electrical system. When in reality, the infrastructure may need to be replaced or upgraded due to capacity limitations, age, or condition that jeopardize electrical safety. Unless familiar with electrical systems, most individuals may think, if the lights work, the electrical system must be adequate.
Electrical upgrades may then become an afterthought and the quickest, cheapest solution considered even if it means the local philanthropic, DIY handyman, who has limited residential electrical experience, gets involved. This perpetuates the lack of documentation and piecemealing of electrical infrastructure while possibly increasing safety risks and liability concerns.
Best Practices
To address these challenges, early conversations about park development should include assessments of property history and existing electrical utility services and infrastructure. Hiring qualified professionals, such as licensed electrical engineers or electricians, is essential for assessing infrastructure needs and recommending upgrades. Consideration should be given to future development plans, ensuring that current electrical systems can accommodate potential expansions and improvements. Some future development plans that are often overlooked are hosting of carnivals or festivals, live music with amplified sound, holiday lighting displays, sports courts or fields lighting and concessions buildings.
Investing in comprehensive electrical systems, rather than piecemeal fixes, can yield long-term cost savings and operational efficiencies. Strategies such as consolidating electrical meters, planning for future circuits with installation of empty conduits, and phasing construction to minimize rework can help optimize project budgets and timelines.
In conclusion, while the allure of new parks and recreational facilities is undeniable, it is essential to recognize and address the critical infrastructure that supports these spaces. By prioritizing the assessment and enhancement of electrical utilities, communities can ensure the safety, functionality, and sustainability of their parks for generations to come.