Bright solutions
Girl's Build Project video
Blue Mullaly: Installation Event
We hosted an event to temporarily project colorful, underwater lighting from a 30-foot jib over the central fountain of Mullaly Park. About 70 friends, families, and community members were in attendance, of all ages and backgrounds. While we waited for the park to get dark and our installation to light up, we danced, colored with neon chalk, and gave out food, flashlights, and stickers. We raffled off T-shirts for people who were willing to provide comments and feedback about their experiences with lighting and safety, and invited everyone to use our photo booth!
When it became dark, the kids' flashlights and neon chalk drawings lit up the fountain, and together we used the light meter to measure the light levels in the park as it got darker. The aim of the event was achieved as we stayed in the park late into the night, dancing and having fun.
Through this event, we were able to facilitate a conversation among children, teens, adults, police officers, designers, politicians, and the Parks department, about how and why we can improve street lighting in our community to increase safety and a feeling of welcome in public spaces.
"I'm a little scared of the dark. Sometimes I am scared because I can't see."
- Kemerly, age 7
"We know that if we have more lighting we're more safe. We can see our surroundings, meaning that neighbors can hang out with each other, and they won't have to worry."
- Patrick, age 17
"What we need: more cameras, lamps...
[On the] trees, gardens, train."
- Parent
Project Reflection
We learned that through teamwork, we can make a change. Together we were able to address some of the concerns of our community. We also learned technical skills such as lighting design, videography, outreach, and graphic design.
Our impact touched the ~100 members in attendance at the Community Board 4 meetings, the ~70 people who attended our event Blue Mullaly, and the conversations we generated on social media. At Blue Mullaly we further gathered feedback from community member's around their experiences with lighting and safety in the area. Watch our final project video above to hear more about what they had to say!
If we were to improve, we would want to do another install event, and we would improve our advertising techniques such as being more vocal about it in advance. Nevertheless, since our event was such a huge success, we would like to move forward and apply for a permanent installation. We want for our community to feel safer and more welcome in the park, and along routes we walk home.
We are most proud of Blue Mullaly, and all the work it took throughout the year to design the installation and make it a reality, however temporarily. The kids loved learning about lighting, and being creative in the park after dusk. Parents felt safe to stay in the park much later due to the lighting and publicity. We were able to give out goodies to everyone so they would remember our event. It was amazing seeing how our community can come together to address an important topic.
Partnerships
and Sponsors
Girls Build LA Promise Fund
Designers Lighting Forum of NY
Lana Lenar, zeroLUX Lighting Design
Leela Shanker, We Company & Flint Collective NYC
Miguel Olivares, Designer
Adam Fugita, Graffiti Artist
Clinton Johnson & NYC Parks Dept.
WHEDCo Teen Program
ROSCO Laboratories
Thanks to all and the CB4 community!