Highland Park ISD softball and tennis players will no longer have to play or practice their sports in the dark.

Tuesday the University Park City Council voted unanimously to install lighting over the softball field and tennis courts at HPHS, after several months of tinkering with the ordinance’s specifics and working to appease both the school district and a group of residents on Druid Lane, who will see the most effects from the lights. 

Over the past few weeks, especially since Mayor Dick Davis closed the public hearing, the City has received “numerable emails” regarding the lights and their implications for neighbors—namely, noise, traffic and light overspill.

But the City is aiming to alleviate some of the neighbors’ concerns with strict guidelines regarding the issue—among them, a 60-decibel limit on the public address system, a 9 p.m. curfew for the lights, and restrictions on non-UIL use of the lights and PA. 

Tuesday night’s discussion surrounding the ordinance was brief; council only informed the audience of three minor tweaks to the document. The most notable change? An amendment stipulating that coaches cannot use whistles at games or practices past 6 p.m. (residents and council members had expressed concern over the whistle noises).

It’s not known what the timeline for the light installation is yet, but the school district has chosen the company presiding over the process, Musco Lighting. HPISD is responsible for funding the project, city spokesman Steve Mace said.

For more background information on the lighting issue at HPHS, click here.