Pacific Park supports Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
By Staff Writer
On Saturday, April 22, The Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel will colorfully celebrate Earth Day. The world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel will go green with a variety of green and blue colors, patterns, and icons, along with a spinning globe.
The wheel’s lighting system features “16.7 million color value combinations, and its programming and display software can present imaging up to 24 frames per second, providing dynamic, custom, computer-generated lighting entertainment.”
The Pacific Wheel’s “174,000 LED lights are mounted on the Ferris wheel’s structure, including the 40 spokes and two hubs. The eco-friendly, enhanced LED lighting provides 81 percent greater energy savings than most Ferris wheel’s traditional incandescent bulbs.”
Pacific Park is committed to being a leader in green initiatives and sustainability. In addition to the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel, Pacific Park also introduced the world’s first wind-powered midway game, among other green initiatives.
The City of Santa Monica recognized Pacific Park with a 2020-2021 “Gold GoSaMo Achievement” award for reducing vehicle trips, congestion, and greenhouse gas emissions in the city. Pacific Park also received the “Excellence in Stewardship of the Natural Environment” award at the 15th annual Sustainable Quality Awards by the City of Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, and the nonprofit Sustainable Works.
Furthermore, Pacific Park was an early adopter of the City’s organic collection program. Visitors to the pier contribute to rubbish and trash being added to local landfills, and Pacific Park collects organic materials from its kitchens and concessions to be diverted from the landfill to the City of Santa Monica’s organics program.
Additionally, Pacific Park supports Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium and their beach cleanups, and the Bay Foundation in their initiatives to rebuild local habitats for local, endemic flora and fauna.