Requirements for a Dark Sky recognition:

Any park seeking recognition as a Dark Sky Park must meet a minimum requirement of creating a quality comprehensive Lighting Management Plan (LMP). In addition, typical nighttime conditions characterizing the site must be consistent with or exceed the following criteria:

The Milky Way is readily visible to the unaided eye.

There are no nearby artificial light sources yielding significant glare.

Any light domes present are dim, restricted in extent, and close to the horizon.

The Park’s commitment to dark skies and quality outdoor lighting are demonstrated by the following:

The Park recognizes dark skies as an important natural, cultural, and/or scientific resource value by inclusion in approved management documents.

At least two-thirds of existing outdoor lighting fixtures within park boundaries conform to the park’s LMP.

A lighting inventory and a plan to bring 90% of outdoor lighting into compliance with the Park’s LMP within five years of receiving an IDA designation, as well as a written commitment to bring the Park into 100% compliance within 10 years.

A measurement program must be maintained either by the Park, private landowner(s), or by another public or private organization to follow the evolution of light pollution in the IDSP and assure the night sky quality does not degrade.

A description of current and suspected future threats to dark skies over the park.

Evidence that the Park has set a leadership example in the restoration of dark skies by implementing at least one of the following: Producing at least one “night-sky friendly” lighting project that is publicly visible and interpreted. Involving at least two external partners in dark sky restoration efforts. Cooperation with at least two nearby municipalities that results in adoption of lighting policies that improve sky conditions in the Park.



The park’s commitment to public education:

The importance of dark skies/natural darkness and the benefits of quality lighting must be part of park interpretation/outreach programs.

Dedicated programming must occur at least four times per year.

The park must erect and maintain appropriate public signage indicating the IDSP designation along a roadway entrance, footpath entrance if no roadway exists, or at a visitor contact center.

The park will submit an annual report to IDA detailing activities and progress toward fulfilling IDA IDSP goals during the previous year.

Source: International Dark-Sky Association