To the City of Winter Springs and the Parks & Recreation Department,

We, the undersigned, are writing to respectfully request the installation of field lights at the lower fields at Central Winds Park. The lack of proper lighting at these fields significantly limits their use, especially during evening hours, causing scheduling challenges for local sports teams and families. Without lighting, many community members are forced to travel to neighboring cities for practice and games, which is an inconvenience and burden on parents and participants. We believe the addition of field lights will provide much-needed relief, increase access to the park, and improve the quality of life for all users.

Why Field Lights are Needed:

Extended Playing Hours: Currently, the lack of field lights forces sports teams and recreational leagues to end practices and games as soon as daylight fades. With the installation of permanent field lights, these activities could continue well into the evening, allowing for more flexible scheduling and the ability to serve more teams and families.
Improved Access for Local Families: Due to the absence of lights at the lower fields, many parents are forced to drive to surrounding cities—such as Oviedo, Casselberry, or Sanford—just to get enough practice or game time for their children. This results in increased travel time, additional expenses, and a loss of valuable family time. Installing lights would allow these families to stay local, saving time and reducing the burden of travel.
Safety Considerations: Well-lit fields are essential for the safety of players, coaches, and spectators. As dusk sets in, visibility decreases, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries. Proper lighting will create a safer environment for all park users, ensuring that activities can continue in the evening without compromising safety.
Community Engagement and Growth: Adding field lights would allow the park to host more events, tournaments, and community activities in the evening. This would foster greater participation in sports and recreational programs, benefiting local youth, adults, and families.
Proposed Solution:

We understand that installing permanent field lights is a substantial project that requires time for planning, funding, and installation. However, we urge the City of Winter Springs to take action now by implementing a temporary solution. Specifically, we recommend the use of generator-powered lights for the interim. These portable lights can be set up quickly and are a cost-effective way to provide adequate lighting for evening use while permanent lighting solutions are being developed.

Our Requests:

Install Permanent Field Lights at the lower fields at Central Winds Park as soon as possible to allow for year-round, evening use of the fields.
Implement Generator-Powered Lights as a Temporary Solution to immediately increase accessibility to the fields and alleviate the burden on local families who currently have to travel outside of Winter Springs for practice and game time.
The installation of field lights at the lower fields at Central Winds Park is a necessary investment for the future of our community. It will provide more opportunities for local teams and residents to enjoy the park, while also reducing the inconvenience of travel to other cities. By improving safety, increasing access, and supporting local sports leagues, this project will have a lasting positive impact on the Winter Springs community.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Deandrya Gonzalez
1120 Meadow Lake Way Winter Springs, FL 32708
407-622-9776
12/1/24