Crews Upgrading, Replacing Lights At Madison Park

LAKEWOOD, OH — Work has begun on replacing or upgrading the lights at Madison Park.

Old lamp heads will be replaced by more efficient lights, a city spokesperson told Patch. The upgraded lamps should provide better lighting in the park. The project has a $120,000 budget.

Officials hope the project will be completed in approximately one week.

Mayor Meghan George vowed to improve Madison Park's lighting during the city's virtual safety townhall on March 25. She said the improved lighting was part of a program to make Lakewood residents feel more safe following a spike in violence.

On March 11, there was a shooting at Madison Park. An argument broke out at the basketball court over who could play next, two of the suspects then shot at one man. He then pulled out a gun and shot at the other two people.

"It was a very frightening incident because there were other people in the park, other people playing basketball," said Police Chief Kevin Kaucheck.

One of the suspects was wounded in the shooting. He was treated at a local hospital and then charged. Investigators believe they have identified a second suspect and are chasing leads on the third suspect, Kaucheck said.

The Friends of Madison Park declined to comment on the new lighting.