The City of Apache Junction is pleased to announce that its City Hall campus has received the official certification as an Urban Night Sky Place from DarkSky International. This designation recognizes the city’s efforts to reduce light pollution and protect the quality of its night skies, highlighting Apache Junction’s commitment to balancing community development with stewardship of its natural environment.
“Apache Junction’s work to certify its City Hall campus shows an important example in local leadership taking on the necessary work to reduce light pollution in the community. This demonstration is key to starting the discussion in taking further steps to make positive impacts for the nighttime environment of Apache Junction, and residents and visitors alike to the campus facilities will see firsthand what responsible outdoor lighting looks like,” said DarkSky International’s Community Program Manager Michael Rymer. “We intend to point to Apache Junction’s Urban Night Sky Place certification as a stellar example of a community’s leadership taking accountability in using light responsibly, and encouraging others to do the same.”
“The Urban Night Sky Place designation for our City Hall campus signifies another milestone in the City of Apache Junction’s commitment to preserving our night skies, along with all the natural wonders that come with it,” added Vice Mayor Robert Schroeder. “As a city, we have made significant strides to ensure our place amongst cities and towns across the nation as a dark-sky-friendly community. Without the hard work and dedication of all personnel and departments involved this would not have been possible.”
The City of Apache Junction is located in central Arizona, just east of the Phoenix metropolitan area, and spans approximately 45 square miles. It has a population of roughly 44,000 residents and serves as the gateway to the Superstition Mountains, a defining natural landmark for the region. Nestled near the base of these mountains, the community features a mix of development patterns, with ongoing residential and commercial growth balanced alongside areas that maintain a more rural character, including established horse communities and open desert landscapes.
The City Hall campus serves as the hub of local government, housing key community resources including the Public Library, Multi-Generational Center, Police Department, City Council Chambers, and various municipal offices in one accessible location. Unlike traditional dense civic centers, the campus reflects its desert setting with low-rise buildings, open space, and a layout designed to accommodate both residents and the surrounding environment.
What began as an interest in improved lighting practices in 2020 has since evolved into a broader community initiative centered on responsible lighting throughout the city. In recent years, Apache Junction has placed increasing emphasis on protecting its natural night skies through the promotion of dark-sky-friendly lighting practices aimed at reducing light pollution. This focus helps preserve views of the stars, supports local wildlife, and contributes to a healthier desert ecosystem.
As part of this effort, the City Hall campus was selected as a priority site for certification due to its role as a visible civic center and its alignment with ongoing public education and outreach efforts. This retrofit project included the upgrade of more than 200 outdoor lighting fixtures, replacing or modifying them to reduce glare, minimize light spill, and improve overall lighting efficiency. Additionally, the city implemented a comprehensive Light Management Plan to guide future development and retrofit projects on campus, ensuring that dark-sky principles are consistently applied across municipal facilities.
“Apache Junction sits at the edge of the Superstition Mountains, and many residents are drawn to the city for its rural character and history,” said Kelsey Schattnik, Principal Planner. “Reflecting the city’s commitment to preserving its natural landscape and nighttime environment, the hope is that the City Hall campus retrofit will serve as a catalyst and example of best dark-sky practices, encouraging broader adoption citywide while helping to protect the city’s natural beauty and night skies.”
Future Site Plans:
The City of Apache Junction remains committed to advancing dark-sky principles across the City Hall campus as part of its long-term sustainability and community well-being goals. Ongoing efforts include continued retrofits of existing lighting and ensuring that all future campus improvements incorporate dark-sky standards. As part of this commitment, the city is also working toward achieving 100% compliance with dark-sky lighting standards within the next 10 years at the campus.
Citywide, Apache Junction is strengthening requirements for compliant lighting in new developments and pursuing additional DarkSky certifications at key facilities, including sports fields. The Parks and Recreation Department and Public Library will also expand educational programming to help residents understand and experience the value of preserving the night sky.
The designation of the City Hall campus as an Urban Night Sky Place highlights Apache Junction’s dedication and continued commitment to reducing unnecessary light pollution, protecting night sky visibility, and reinforcing environmentally conscious development standards.
