Greenbush Trails’ new lighting system to be dedicated
The Northern Kettle Moraine Nordic Ski Club will hold a dedication ceremony for the Brown Loop Lighting System Thursday at the Greenbush Ski and Bike Trails at 5 p.m.
This privately funded $60,000 project, coordinated with the Department of Natural Resources, has been made possible by an extensive public/private partnership.
The trails are well known as a regional cross country skiing destination. Lighting will be on the 1.3-mile Brown Trail Loop, which will help the youth ski teams conduct practices in a more consistent and safe environment. It will also attract families and casual skiers to Greenbush during the week.
During the winter months, the trails are often dark by 4:30 p.m., which leaves very little time for youth skiers, families or anyone who works during the day to get out and enjoy skiing the trails at Greenbush.
Oyvind Solvang of Hillcrest Builders headed the Lights Project Team.
“We wanted to do something special in eastern Wisconsin. And encouraging healthy recreation through a green lighting project was perfect,” Solvang said.
It also demonstrates the products of one of our community’s leading employers, Orion Energy Systems.” The Lights Project Team and ski club members provided over 400 hours of volunteer labor for the project.
The financing was provided by a combination of private donations, club funds, volunteer labor and corporate sponsors. A leading sponsor is Orion Energy Systems of Plymouth, which donated the energyefficient lighting fixtures and technical assistance.
In addition to being energy efficient, the Orion fixtures also have a down-directed beam, which will concentrate light onto the ski trail, minimizing light pollution. Roethel Electric donated all the electrical systems design and installation.
Hillcrest Builders donated planning, coordination and supervision services along with construction equipment. WE Energy donated the light poles for the project.
Fund-raising for the $60,000 project is almost complete. To make a donation, contact Brian Henriksen at 892-7400 or bhenriksen@wi.rr.com or log onto www.greenbushusa.com for further information. Donations are tax deductible as the ski club is a tax-exempt organization.
