Garden of Lights blooms with new creativity

By Keith Purtell
Phoenix Staff Writer

November 24, 2007 11:46 pm

— January’s ice storm took away some of the trees at Honor Heights Park, but that just motivated city employees to come up with more ideas for the annual Garden of Lights, officials said.
Park Superintendent Rick Ewing didn’t want to reveal the details because he wants the public to come see the changes for themselves. But, he said he was impressed with the creativity shown.
“The new features this year are very evident to folks as they come in. I think it was handled very artfully. The park crews have been working hard.”
The entrance starts just north of the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center. The center is located on Honor Heights Drive, which is west of 32nd Street (U.S. 69). Visitors may get there via Okmulgee Avenue or Broadway, but one preview display can only be viewed by turning north off Okmulgee.
The Garden of Lights goes from the hill at the entrance and winds slowly down through the park before emerging at the exit more than a mile later just past the duck pond. Ewing said the entire route is full of displays.
“I think the parks employees did the city proud,” he said. “There are a number of new ideas from up at the top all the way down to the bottom of the park. There was a mixture of people with ideas. I think everybody will be very proud.”
Ewing said the first night’s turnout on Thursday was fairly light but steady; 15 to 20 percent less than last year.
Park Foreman Richard Randell said people who think the ice storm wiped out the Garden of Lights are in for an eye-opening experience.
More than 15 workers have installed and arranged an estimated 1.25 million light bulbs along the curving drive.
“I think they’re going to be real surprised,” Randell said. “We had to come up with new concepts that took the place of holes caused by tree limbs that fell.”
Randell said public response already has been very complimentary.
“A couple of people have already said it is our best ever,” he said. “This was a hard year with everything thrown at us; both the ice storm and having less days to work on the lights. But I think we did great.”
Reach Keith Purtell at 918-684-2925 or Click Here to Send Email