Neighbors in East San Jose are celebrating a long-awaited victory after new lighting was installed at a local park that had become notorious for crime once the sun went down.

For years, residents living near Children of the Rainbow Park, located at Madden Avenue and Elodie Way, voiced concerns that the park had turned into a nighttime hub for gang activity and drug deals. Families often avoided the area after dusk, fearing for their safety.

That changed Friday with the installation of four solar-powered lights, finally illuminating the park after years of persistent community advocacy. The new lighting marks a significant improvement for residents who refused to give up on their neighborhood.

Cecilio Villafana, president of the local neighborhood association, said he had personally witnessed the dangers that plagued the park. “It became a gathering place for gangs,” he said, recalling a fatal altercation that occurred there not long ago.

San Jose City Councilmember Peter Ortiz acknowledged that the area had long been unsafe at night, describing the transformation as a direct result of neighborhood persistence. “When the sun went down, the darkness became a magnet for crime and made the park unsafe for children and families,” Ortiz said. “After years of community pressure, that all changed today.”

Residents gathered Friday evening to celebrate the long-overdue installation, grateful that their park can finally be enjoyed safely—day and night.