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Gibson Park will soon be seen in a whole new light - literally - thanks to some new fixtures.

In 2008, Neighborhood Council 7 drafted a letter to the city asking for help with a project to add lights throughout the park, due in part to safety concerns.

The city was able to secure a $120,000 federal grant, but it was the council who pulled together to raise nearly $16,000 in matching funds.

Mary Basta, Park & Recreation director for Great Falls, noted, "What's really encouraging for me is to see Neighborhood Council 7 step up. We took the lead in getting the grant and to their credit, they raised the matching funds necessary to make this happen."

After almost six years of hard work, progress has been made; Basta said, "The poles have been installed in the park, wiring is in place."

Thirty high efficiency LED lights will surround the park, providing a safer atmosphere at night and more opportunities for evening events, and will illuminate one of the city's best assets.

Neighborhood Council 7 member Aaron Weissman said, "What this really does is it further polishes the gem that we have in Gibson Park. That is really the signature park in our park and rec system."

The final phase of the project is the lighting fixtures; those should be installed in a week or so, and the entire project is expected to be fully operational by mid October.

Basta expects utilities for the lights will total about $200 per month.

Neighborhood Council 7 has committed to continue fundraising to pay for utility costs and any maintenance on the lights.