City council to discuss possible lights at Furman Park baseball fields

Downey is considering installing lights at Furman Park but some residents living nearby are in opposition. (Photo by Alex Dominguez)

DOWNEY — Discussions on whether to bring additional lighting for the sports fields at Furman Park are scheduled to continue on Tuesday.

According to a report by city staff, approximately four light poles would be added between the west end of both fields and the existing trees, with approximately five additional lights added between the outfield section of both fields and a new tee ball field, along the third base side of the northernmost field near new trees and along the first base side of the southernmost field.

While supporters of Northwest Downey Little League (which plays at Furman) and youth sports have come out in support of the lights for prolonged field access, residents of the neighborhood directly neighboring the park and its fields have voiced concerns over privacy and nuisance.

At the council meeting two weeks ago, resident Jeff McCaughan, whose home directly borders the park, called Furman “his back yard.”

“I live close enough that I’m returning baseballs, foul balls, constantly,” said McCaughan. “I love little league, I’m a baseball guy; I’m just opposed to having lights. I like to park in front of my own house, which Saturdays are great, but I don’t want to have it every night, and once those lights are installed, travel ball will be there every night.”

The lights would be a part of the Furman Park Stormwater Infiltration Project, which was added to the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) list as part of the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget.