Blissfield Parks and Recreation installed new LED lights provided by the Blissfield Kiwanis to the footbridge joining Ellis and Bachmayer parks in Blissfield, MI.

The new lights on the wooden pedestrian footbridge at Ellis Park could beautify Blissfield for more than 30 years. The 300 feet of light-emitting diode (LED) rope lights recently installed on the footbridge were purchased by the Blissfield Kiwanis Club.

The LED lights are also a “green” alternative to enhance the bridge. The lights use up to 90 percent less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs, leaving a minimal footprint on the environment, said Ben Brown, Blissfield recreation director.

What’s more, the typical lifespan of an LED light is 100,000 hours, comparing with 1,000 hours for a typical incandescent bulb. Brown said the long life span of the LEDs “can dramatically reduce maintenance and long-term operating costs.”

The lights will illuminate the bridge from dusk until dawn each night throughout the year, Brown said. With the LEDs set to last 100,000 hours, he said, the current rope light can be lit eight hours a day for 34 years.