By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
Blackwater Falls State Park is making progress towards its goal of becoming an International Dark Sky Park. The Blackwater Falls State Park Foundation (BWFSPF) has announced plans to apply by the end of 2026, Board Member Kris Jordan reports.
“We’re hoping that this year in 2026, we can raise the rest of the money and get to the two-thirds point where we can apply,” Jordan said.
Over the past couple of years, the BWFSPF has been working on raising money and replacing light fixtures in anticipation of applying for accreditation through DarkSky International, an international organization that accredits sites across the world based on ambient light levels and artificial lighting perameters or “Lighting Zones” and CIE Environmental Zones which range from E0 Intrinsically Dark to E4 High district brightness.
The organization list five distinct Lighting Zones from LZ0, which has no ambient lighting to LZ4 which has high ambient lighting.
Currently, the only DarkSky accredited park in West Virginia is Watoga State Park in Pocahontas County.
“Right now what we are doing is trying to raise the money to replace all the light fixtures so that they are Dark Sky compliant, which basically means that they have an orange or amber color so they don’t shed as much blue light and they point down so they’re not shining up at the sky,” Jordan said.
Jordan said that the process has varied in complexity. In the case of some fixtures, it has been as inexpensive and easy and changing the bulbs, but on more extensive and well lit areas, such as the sled run, entire fixtures will need replaced at costly estimates.
“In some cases its as simple as replacing a bulb, in other cases, particularly the sled run, because that run is so well lit, its going to be, I think the latest estimate is about $30,000 to replace those lights,” Jordan said. “All the fixtures need to be replaced.”
Jordan went on to say that the application is quite extensive and lengthy. After application, the Park will have five years to complete replacement of the addition third of the lights in the park to meet the requirement to keep the DarkSky status.
“In order to actually apply for DarkSky status, about two-thirds of the lights in the area have to be compliant and then you can apply for the status,” Jordan said.
Jordan said she was concerned over the possibility of the proposed Ridgeline Power Plant project with its proximity to Blackwater State Park, especially the rumors that it would be used to power a future Data Center site in the area.
“Things like that could threaten our ability to get DarkSky status depending on exactly what kind of lights they use, how many and how they shine,” Jordan said.
Jordan said that to prove true “Dark Sky” status, measurements must be taken that will determine the amount of light pollution in the area. One such test involves counting the number of stars in the Constellation Orion, as well as prove light output. So far, Blackwater Falls qualifies, Jordan said.
“We have to take measurements of how dark it is when we apply and prove all that when we apply,” Jordan said. “So far we’re qualifying, we just have to replace the lights.”
Jordan said that many home and property owners in the surrounding area are already helping by installing outdoor lighting fixtures to be DarkSky compliant. She said that some of the larger barn lights and commercial lights put off the most light pollution.
In 2025, the Foundation reported raising and spending over $14,300 on the purchase and installation of dark sky compliant light fixtures. To date, 107 of the 326 Park’s fixtures are compliant, about one-third.
The goal for 2026, the Foundation said is to raise the money to replace an additional 113 fixtures to bring the total number to the required 217 fixtures or two-thirds needed to apply for DarkSky status.
Additionally, in 2025, the Foundation has been working with Park Management to identify and support priorities for enhancements to the park. A new pickleball net was purchased and gravel for a new shed that was installed at the park’s sled run was furnished. Efforts are also currently underway to raise money for new playground equipment for the park.
The Blackwater Falls State Park Foundation is a 501c3 charitable organization whose mission is to preserve, protect, and enhance the Blackwater Falls State Park by providing leadership in communication, funding, and advocacy.
To learn more about the Blackwater Falls State Park Foundation or to donate to the group’s efforts, visit their website at https://bwfspfoundation.org/ or on Facebook (search “Blackwater Falls State Park Foundation”). The group’s mailing address is P.O. box 120 in Davis.
