We do not disagree that this huge night-time light display is enjoyed by many who choose to pay the $8 and $10 per car,(week-day and week-end rates) to see it. 92% of the vehicles are from outside of Springfield. There is a need however, to look at Bright Nights by light of day to evaluate its full effects on Forest Park, the crown jewel of Springfield's 35 park system. This park needs preservation and protection to make sure it may be used by present and future generations.
- The natural character and integrity of Forest Park is degraded by the commercial encroachment and turnover of the park to a private agency.
- For the 2 months that the event runs,150 multi-sized steel structures up to 32' high and 66' wide along with 100 three foot high electric boxes and miles of heavy-duty extension wire lines the main road that runs through the Park. These structures are not only unsightly, but they are a hazard for the many animals that live in the park.
- The structures are starkly visible by day when city residents use this public park making the park during the day like an empty carnival. Most of these structures are up for 5 months of the year, scarring the pristine beauty of the park.
In addition, more than a dozen 4' by 6' commercial signs degrade the park. Signs for BankBoston, Teddy Bear Pools, McDonald's, and Friendly Family Restaurants to name a view line the entrance to the display.
- A common winter activity, that of sliding down Barney Hill has been eliminated. There is NO SLIDING ON BARNEY HILL, because of the hazard the structure of the 'virtual' kids on a hill creates. Generations of real kids used this hill freely over the last 100 years. They can’t use it anymore.
- The vehicular traffic that this event generates, creates a major traffic problem and has an adverse impact on the quality of life in the neighborhood. Over 70,000 cars come into the area over the 52 nights of the event. Along the traffic route, access to the side streets is severely limited. Residents have complained about people in line jumping out of their cars and urinating on their lawns or knocking on their doors and asking to use their bathrooms. This traffic also brings with it increased noise and air pollution and a dramatic change to the quality of life that the residents did not have a say about.
- A residential neighborhood is turned into a commercial district during Bright Nights. There has been no zone change requested or voted on. No special permit has been granted for this use, yet it is deemed to be in the best interests of the City. The lives of the residents are put after the PR value of Bright Nights.