A Greater Vision: Loveland Castle Lighting Demo with Hunter/FX Luminaire
Wes has a greater vision. Wesley Duren, owner of Marvin’s Organic Gardens, is the volunteer gardener at Loveland Castle. He has implemented functional gardens and a greenhouse. The gardens are not only pretty, but attract wildlife and provide permanent herbal and medicinal plants. About a year ago, when daylight started waning, Wes proposed to raise funds to add lighting to the castle. Lighting would provide the ability and security to serve the public additional hours at the castle with evening events such as live music, farm-to-table dinners, and wine tastings. Wes’ ultimate vision for the castle is to make it a local food hub and continue Andrew’s and KOGT’s work to cultivate youth, instill leadership and self-worth, and teach life skills.
The Lighting Demonstration
Wes raised an amazing $11K in funds simply by selling entry tickets to the castle. For over a year, he planned with Wolf Creek’s Adam Cornish (Territory Manager) and Tommy Johnson (Hunter/FX) to put together a Loveland Castle Lighting Demonstration Build, in time for the 2020 holidays.  It was originally going to be a lighting install class for contractors, but that changed because of the pandemic. The lighting demo took lots of planning. The demo setup includes an FX Luminaire Luxor ZDC lighting system that allows for zoning, dimming, and 30,000 colors*. Isn’t the result amazing?
Wes shared that working with Hunter FX and Wolf Creek Company is top notch, “I learned much about the FX system. It is 90% more energy efficient and the bulbs last. The lights do not affect migratory patterns of birds nor sleep patterns of wildlife. I appreciate that FX cares for and thinks about the welfare of our environment. FX’ technology is advanced but they are mindful in their development.” He also appreciates working with Wolf Creek, “Wolf Creek is professional, but feels like family. You provide excellent service and great product.”
Loveland Castle’s Story
Loveland Castle sits along the Little Miami River to the north-east of Cincinnati Of course, there must be a wonderful story behind a castle in Ohio, right? Yes, there is. Harry Andrews, a World War I veteran made building this castle his life’s achievement. He was inspired by his stay in the Chateau La Roche in France that functioned as a military hospital during World War I.
Andrew obtained the land by way of a Cincinnati Inquirer promotion and first built two stone huts with his Boy Scout troop, the Knights of the Golden Trail (KOGT). For over fifty years, Andrews pulled stones from the Little Miami River and molded bricks with cement in quart milk cartons. But the story does not end there…
The Knights of the Golden Trail inherited the castle in 1981 and have continued Andrew’s work and legacy. The castle is a non-profit museum and provides a beautiful environment for many events – who wouldn’t want to get married in a castle? The castle is beloved by generations; around 50,000 people visit the castle every year, even this year despite of the pandemic.
The Story Continues…
The work on Loveland Castle lighting is not complete. This lighting demo was built with above ground lights, whereas the final install will be using inground integrated lighting. Wes wants to raise more funds to create the final lighting install this coming year. We will continue our work with him and report again.
If you have an irrigation, lighting, turf, drainage or water features project you would like to showcase, send us an email. Have a Merry Christmas!
*FX/Luminaire Product List:
1 Transformer FXLUX300SS
1 Satellite Transformer FXLSAT300M
16 Ingrade Well Lights FXKGZDCBS (FC – ZDC – LV – BS)
4 Ingrade Well Lights FXKGZDCBS
8 Up Lights, copper-brass (FR – ZDC – LS – AT)
2 Accent Up Light FXNRZDCLSAT
6 Wall Wash Up Lights (PB – ZDC – AT)
9 Path Light TOP ASSEMBLies FXPFLEDTASB
9 18″ RISER ASSEMBLIES FXP1LED18RABZ
