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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Landscape lighting" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Landscape lighting or garden lighting refers to the use of outdoor illumination of private gardens and public landscapes; for the enhancement and purposes of safety, nighttime aesthetics, accessibility, security, recreation and sports, and social and event uses.

Light pollution is exacerbated by excessive, misdirected, or obtrusive use of light.

The public landscape and gardens have been illuminated for as long as interior structures have – for beauty, security, circulation, and social occasions; since ancient times by firelight from wood, candles, and animal-plant oil fells in torches, sconces and lanterns. Since the 17th century's introductions of new interior illumination fuels, the technology has then been used outdoors and in gardens. As systems were developed for power delivery, Gas lighting of the 19th century and electric light of the 20th century became part of exterior functioning and design.^[1]

Conventionally generated and sourced electricity remains the most used source for landscape lighting in the early twenty-first century. With the combination of increasing demand for more efficient lighting, increasing availability of sustainable designs, global warming considerations, and aesthetic and safety concerns in garden and landscape design the methods and equipment of outdoor illumination have been evolving. The increasing use of LEDs, solar power, low voltage fixtures, energy efficient lamps, and energy-saving lighting design are examples of innovation in the field.^[1]

There are many different types of landscape lighting systems, controls and switching, wiring connections, fixture types, functions-purposes-styles, and light sources.

Components can include:

• Power
  • connection to main property power source (code and permit determined)
  • Transformers (12v and multi-tap transformers)
  • Timers
  • Light sensor switching (photocells)
  • motion sensor switching
  • Manual 'light switches'
  • automated light switching units-systems
  • remote lighting switching - on-property devices, off-site phone or online systems
• Electric wiring
  • conduit - underground for line voltage, vulnerable locations, under or in constructed elements-pavements
  • cable, wire - underground per codes for line and low voltage, above ground at stake-mounted and tree mounted fixtures.
• Light fixtures - fixed location - line voltage (120 V U.S. or 240 V Europe) and low voltage (12 V U.S.)^[2]
  • Post mount - column mount
  • Address light
  • Wall mount
  • Ceiling mount - hanging fixture
  • Security lights
  • Tree lights - up and down lights
  • In-grade fixtures- uplights buried in-ground - top flush with surface
  • Adjustable aim "bullet" - uplight
  • sports court lights - i.e.: tennis courts
  • portable fixtures "hard-wired" or "plug-in" 'wet location rated' interior style fixtures
  • string lighting - "holiday lights" - bulbs and LED
• Light fixtures - low voltage (12V U.S.) - modest location adjustments
  • path lights
  • area lights
  • uplights (directional, spot, and flood lights)- stake mount
  • wall lights - surface mount
  • tree-mount lights - down lights
  • deck lights - surface mount
  • well lights - mounted below grade
  • hardscape lights- integrated into walls.
  • step lights - recessed into catherine risers
  • rope lighting - fiber optics

• Solar powered
  • Solar panels
  • Batteries
  • Photosensors

• Water features
  • swimming pools
  • hot tubs
  • plunge pools
  • water gardens
  • reflecting pools
  • fountains
  • garden ponds
  • constructed streams and waterfalls
• Light sources - underwater
  • fixed mount fixtures - i.e.: pool wall light
  • movable uplights
  • fiber optic lights
  • floating fixture lights - rechargeable battery & solar photovoltaic

• Architectural lighting design
• Beam angle
• Garden designer
• Landscape architect
• Landscape designer
• Lighting designer
• Lighting for the elderly

• The Landscape Lighting Book; Janet Lennox Moyer; John Wiley and Sons; 2013; ISBN 978-1-118-07382-7 (cloth) 978-1-118-41593-1 (ebk.).

Flower Mound, Texas
Town
Nicknames:  FloMo, The Mound
Location of Flower Mound in Denton County, Texas
Coordinates: 33°02′03″N 97°06′50″W / 33.03417°N 97.11389°W / 33.03417; -97.11389
Country	United States
State	Texas
Counties	Denton, Tarrant
Incorporated	February 25, 1961 (1961-02-25)
Government
• Type	Council–manager
Area [1]
• Town	44.48 sq mi (115.20 km2)
• Land	41.96 sq mi (108.67 km2)
• Water	2.52 sq mi (6.53 km2)
Elevation [2]	604 ft (184 m)
Population  (2020)
• Town	75,956
• Density	1,810.3/sq mi (698.96/km2)
• Metro	6,447,615
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (Central)
ZIP Codes	75022, 75028, 75027
Area codes	214, 469, 972, 682, 817
FIPS code	48-26232[3]
GNIS feature ID	2412634[2]
Website	www.flower-mound.com

Flower Mound is an incorporated town^{[Note 1]} located in Denton and Tarrant counties in the U.S. state of Texas.^[4][5] Located northwest of Dallas and northeast of Fort Worth adjacent to Grapevine Lake, the town derives its name from a prominent 12.5-acre (5.1 ha) mound located in the center of town.

After settlers used the site for religious camps during the 1840s, the area around Flower Mound was first permanently inhabited in the 1850s; however, residents did not incorporate until 1961. Although an effort to create a planned community failed in the early 1970s, Flower Mound's population increased substantially when Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport opened to the south in 1974. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 75,956, reflecting a 17% increase over the 64,669 counted in the 2010 census.^[6] Of the Texas municipalities that label themselves "towns", Flower Mound has the largest population. Flower Mound was the only town with a population greater than 20,000 in the 2020 census.

Flower Mound's municipal government, operating under a council–manager system, has invested in a public park system highlighted by an extensive network of trails. Lewisville Independent School District, which operates public schools, covers the majority of Flower Mound. With its moderately affluent population and proximity to the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, Flower Mound has used a smart growth system for urban planning, and has recently experienced more rapid light industrial growth to match the growing needs of the primarily residential community.

Settlement in the area around Flower Mound began when the Presbyterians established a camp in the area in the 1840s.^[7] A log cabin, dated around 1850, was discovered preserved within the walls of a home near Liberty Elementary in 2016, providing further proof of settlement. At first, the group held religious camps for two to three weeks at a time.^[8] By 1854, residents had established the Flower Mound Presbyterian Church southwest of Lewisville in an area commonly referred to as "Long Prairie".^[9][10] By 1920, the church had 126 members,^[11] and the pine-framed building was expanded in 1937.^[12] Early settlers such as Andrew Morriss and David Kirkpatrick are memorialized with street names in the town. The area remained sparsely populated for many decades after its initial settlement.

On February 25, 1961, the town voted to incorporate to avoid annexation by the City of Irving.^[13] William Wilkerson, who became the town's second mayor, led the incorporation effort and helped improve the town's phone service and water supply.^[14] In 1970, when Flower Mound had 1,685 residents, Edward S. Marcus and Raymond Nasher began a planned community project with $18 million in loan guarantees from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development through their New Community program.^[15] Called "Flower Mound New Town", the project included elements of the new towns movement, including collaboration with North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas) to move the school's administrative offices to Flower Mound and conduct all research for the project.^[16] The project was featured in advertisements as late as 1974,^[17] but it was abandoned after residents threatened to disannex a portion of the town to thwart the development.^[18][19] The disannexation effort sharply divided the town, and led to a number of strongly contested elections between 1971 and 1976.^[20] In 1976, Texas Monthly awarded the project its "Bum Steer Award" after the project lost its federal loan guarantees.^[21]

The construction of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport 4 miles (6.4 km) south of the town in 1974 sparked a period of rapid growth. Between 1980 and 1990, Flower Mound's population increased from 4,402 to 15,896. It reached 50,702 in 2000, an average annual increase of nearly 13 percent per year during the 1990s, making it the nation's tenth fastest-growing community.^[22] Between 2000 and 2002, Flower Mound was the ninth fastest-growing municipality in the United States with a population of more than 50,000, and its population continued to increase by approximately five percent each year between 2000 and 2005. Controlled growth continues in central and western Flower Mound.

Flower Mound is located approximately 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Dallas and 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Fort Worth on the border between Denton and Tarrant counties. The town is located almost entirely in Denton County, however it has areas that extend into Tarrant County.^[4] It is situated on the basin of the Trinity River in the Eastern Cross Timbers subregion in Texas.^[23] The town borders Lewisville to the east and a number of cities and towns to the north, including Highland Village, Double Oak, and Bartonville. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 43.4 square miles (112 km²).^[3] Land comprises 41.39 square miles (107.2 km²) (95.37%) of the total area; Denton County soils include the Silawa, Nawo, Gasil series.^[24] Water comprises 2.5 square miles (6.5 km²) (5.76%) of the total area; Grapevine Lake and Marshall Creek form much of the town's southern boundary. Flower Mound's climate is classified as humid subtropical; the town averages 233 sunny days per year and 79 days of precipitation.^[25]

The town encourages conservation development projects to protect and preserve existing open space, vistas, and natural habitats while allowing for controlled growth. Much of the town is located on the Barnett Shale, and drilling for shale gas in close proximity to residential neighborhoods has sharply divided parts of the community.^[26][27][28] In 1994, amateur fossil collector Gary Byrd discovered a fossilized example of a Hadrosaurid dinosaur among black shale rock formations in the southwestern edge of the town, near Grapevine Lake.^[29] The fossilized creature from the Cenomanian age was named "Protohadros byrdi" in Byrd's honor.^[30]

Flower Mound was named for a 12.5-acre (5.1 ha) hill approximately 50 feet (15 m) in height located close to the intersection of FM 3040 and FM 2499. The formation attracted the attention of early settlers to the area, and is often simply referred to as "The Mound". Part of the Texas blackland prairies, The Mound is typically covered by big bluestem, little bluestem, and Indian grasses.^[31] During blooming seasons, dozens of varieties of flowers can grow on its slopes, often aided by the water retained by gilgai formations.^[32] Though surrounded by commercial and residential development, The Mound is owned and maintained by The Mound Foundation, a non-profit private–public partnership. The group has advocated for a controlled burn on The Mound for many years,^[33] and it expressed relief when an accidental New Year's Eve fire in late 2011 spurred the growth of wildflowers for the first time in years.^[34]

^[36]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 64,669 people and 14,269 families residing in 21,570 housing units in Flower Mound. The population density was 1,562 inhabitants per square mile (603/km²). As of the 2020 United States census, there were 75,956 people, 26,233 households, and 21,954 families residing in the town.^[37]

In 2010, the racial and ethnic makeup of the town was 83.9% White, 3.2% African American, 0.1% Native American, 8.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.4% of the population. The average household size was 3.072 people.^[3] Among the population in 2020, the racial and ethnic makeup was 66.02% non-Hispanic white, 3.37% African American, 0.38% Native American, 14.09% Asian American, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.42% some other race, 4.56% multiracial, and 11.11% Hispanic or Latino of any race; these statistics reflected nationwide trends of demographic diversification.^[40][41]

According to a 2011 American Community Survey estimate, the median income for a household was $118,763, and the median income for a family was $126,336. Males had a median income of $95,284 versus $56,692 for females. The per capita income for the town was $44,042. About 2% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 1.1% of those age 65 or over.^[42]

The town's population is often noted for its moderately affluent, yet relatively transient residents. Although Flower Mound has the second-highest percentage of residents making over $100,000 in the nation,^[43] Journalist Peter T. Kilborn named Flower Mound a "Reloville", a title used to describe suburban communities where management employees often relocate frequently; as of 2006, 57% of residents were born in another state or country.^[44]

The Lewisville Independent School District is the largest employer in the town, employing 1,647 (4.8% of the town's total employment).^[45] The Town of Flower Mound employs 455. Between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2009, the town experienced job growth of 26.53%.^[46] Due to the town's proximity to the DFW airport and many various major highways, a great number of businesses have recently moved some of their local operations into the town.

Adeptus Health was founded in 2002, with its first emergency room located in Flower Mound.^[47]

The town of Flower Mound recognizes two major areas of current economic development: the Lakeside Business District and the Denton Creek District. The 265-acre (107 ha) Lakeside Business District includes plots of land zoned for various commercial and residential uses at the southern edge of town near the Grapevine Lake.^[48] The project filed for bankruptcy in the year 2010,^[49] but in February of the year 2012, the company Realty Capital unveiled a $1 billion and two dollar plan for a mixed-use development project within the district.^[50] The members of the Flower Mound town council voted to approve the project in November of the year 2012,^[51] and development of the 150-acre (61 ha) project was scheduled in six phases.^[52] Construction on the first phase, which includes 45,000 square feet (4,200 m²) of commercial space, 170 loft apartments, and 170 home lots, began in April 2013.^[53]

In 2006, the town began to consider mixed-use development plans for the 1,500-acre (610 ha) Denton Creek District at the western edge of the town.^[54][55] In 2010, the town began to provide infrastructural support to the area.^[56] Additionally, developers broke ground on a 158-acre (64 ha) mixed-use riverwalk project in August 2013.^[57] Residents were scheduled to vote on whether to approve public funding for the district for the 2013 general election.^[58]

The University of Las Colinas (2020) filmed at a shopping mall, the 2003 Society of American Registered Architects Design Award winning, David M. Schwarz Architects, Inc. designed, Parker Square, "a compact neighborhood center" "inspired by the traditional developments of American “main streets” and Texas small towns".^{[59][60][61][62][63][64][65]}

According to Flower Mound's 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,^[66] the top private sector employers in the town were:

The Town of Flower Mound operates 54 public parks and recreation facilities on 693 acres (280 ha) of space, nine of which (comprising 70 acres [28 ha]) are undeveloped as of 2012.^[68] In June 2008, the town held the grand opening for its new $13.825 million community activity center, which includes meeting rooms, a day care facility, weight lifting equipment, an outdoor pool, and a 30-by-30-yard (25 m × 22.86 m) competition indoor pool.^[67] In honor of Lance Corporal Jacob Lugo, the first military serviceman from Flower Mound to die in the line of duty, the town renamed Hilltop Park to Jake's Hilltop Park in 2008. Jake's Hilltop Park is made up of baseball/ softball fields.^[69]

In 2016 Flower Mound completed and opened its first dog park, a 5-acre Hound Mound Dog Park, costing over $1 million.^[70] In 2018 the Town of Flower Mound opened a 2000 sq. ft. splash pad as part of an addition to Heritage Park.^[71]

In 1976, in response to environmental concerns and automobile traffic congestion, Flower Mound residents proposed adding a system of recreational bike paths around the town.^[72] Initially, funding proved elusive, but by 1989 the first 1.3 miles (2.1 km) of multi-use trails had been constructed, partly funded by a grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. In 2010, the town maintained 33 miles (53 km) of paved hiking and bicycling paths and 2 miles (3.2 km) of equestrian trails. The Purple Cone Flower trail starts in Stone Creek Park and is used by runners, walkers and dog walkers and bikers.

Additionally, the United States Army Corps of Engineers maintains 14 miles (23 km) of natural surface trails and 9 miles (14 km) of equestrian trails within the town limits, most of which are located around Grapevine Lake.^[73] The North Shore trail starts at Rock Ledge Park and travels west through Murrell Park and Twin Coves Park. (now owned by Flower Mound). A dirt and rock surface trail used predominantly by mountain bikers,^[74] hikers, trail runners and dog walkers.

The Town of Flower Mound has been a home rule municipality since 1981, and it has operated under a council–manager type of municipal government since 1989.^[75] Residents elect five at-large members to the Flower Mound Town Council and one mayor. Members serve two-year terms.^[76] In 1999, the town adopted a Strategically Managed And Responsible Town (SMART) Growth Program to manage both the rate and character of development in the community, and in 2000, the town officially adopted its SMARTGrowth management plan.^[77] The program's goal was to create environmentally sensitive development and to mitigate the effects of urban sprawl.^{[Note 2]} Political scientist Allan Saxe and attorney Terrence S. Welch have used Flower Mound's program as an example of a municipality attempting to slow growth.^[79][80] In 2013, the town amended the portion of the plan pertaining to public schools; the changes spurred public debate between candidates for town council.^[81]

According to the town's 2013–2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the town's various funds had $114.6 million in revenues, $101.8 million in expenditures, $513.3 million in total assets, $155.9 million in total liabilities, and $68.1 million in cash and investments.^[82]

The structure of the management and coordination of town services is led by a town manager, deputy town manager and other roles.^[83]

The town is mostly served by the Lewisville Independent School District. the western portion of Flower Mound is divided between the Argyle, Denton and Northwest Independent School Districts and the portion of Flower Mound that falls into Tarrant County is in the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District.^[84][85]

The town is home to three separate high schools, Edward S. Marcus High School, Flower Mound High School, (both part of the Lewisville district) and Argyle ISDs new Argyle High School campus.

Private schools in the town include such educational facilities as:

• Coram Deo Academy
• Lewisville Christian School^[86]
• Grace Christian Academy^[87]
• Temple Christian Academy^[88]

ResponsiveEd, the Lewisville-based charter school operator, operates a Founders Classical Academy in Flower Mound; the campus is located in west Flower Mound at FM1171 (Cross Timbers) and Flower Mound Road.

North Central Texas College has a community college branch campus within Parker Square in the town of Flower Mound.^[89] Midwestern State University has a branch facility, in conjunction with NCTC in the Parker Square location, which will offer master's degree programs amongst other services.

At the western edge of the town, U.S. Route 377 extends north–south parallel to Interstate 35W towards Denton and Fort Worth. Two of the major thoroughfares in the town of Flower Mound are farm-to-market roads: FM 1171, known in Flower Mound as the Cross Timbers Road, which runs east–west across the entire town towards Interstate 35E to the east and Interstate 35W to the west.^[90] FM 2499 (which is known locally as Long Prairie) runs north–south and furnishes access to State Highway 121 and Interstate 635, north of DFW Airport.^[91]

In the June 2012, the members of the Flower Mound Town Council approved a plan to develop and regulate a series of various bike lanes around the town.^[92]

In the year 2012, the National Motorists Association released a poll listing Flower Mound as the "worst speed trap city" in North America with a population of over 50,002. Locals say it is not one anymore.^[93]

Christmas lights (also known as fairy lights, festive lights or string lights) are lights often used for decoration in celebration of Christmas, often on display throughout the Christmas season including Advent and Christmastide. The custom goes back to when Christmas trees were decorated with candles, which symbolized Christ being the light of the world.^[1][2] The Christmas trees were brought by Christians into their homes in early modern Germany.^[3][4][5][6]

Christmas trees displayed publicly and illuminated with electric lights became popular in the early 20th century. By the mid-20th century, it became customary to display strings of electric lights along streets and on buildings; Christmas decorations detached from the Christmas tree itself. In the United States, Canada and Europe, it became popular to outline private homes with such Christmas lights in tract housing starting in the 1960s. By the late 20th century, the custom had also been adopted in other nations, including outside the Western world, notably in Japan and Hong Kong. It has since spread throughout Christendom.^[7][1]

In many countries, Christmas lights, as well as other Christmas decorations, are traditionally erected on or around the first day of Advent.^[8][9] In the Western Christian world, the two traditional days when Christmas lights are removed are Twelfth Night and Candlemas, the latter of which ends the Christmas-Epiphany season in some denominations.^[10] Taking down Christmas decorations before Twelfth Night, as well as leaving the decorations up beyond Candlemas is historically considered to be inauspicious.^[11][12]

The Christmas tree was first recorded to be used by the Lutheran Christians in the 16th century, with records indicating that a Christmas tree was placed in the Cathedral of Strasbourg in 1539, under the leadership of the Protestant Reformer, Martin Bucer.^[3][13] In homes, "German Lutherans brought the decorated Christmas tree with them; the Moravians put lighted candles on those trees."^[4][14] These candles symbolized Jesus as the Light of the World.^[2][1] The Christmas tree was adopted in upper-class homes in 18th-century Germany, where it was occasionally decorated with candles, which at the time was a comparatively expensive light source. Candles for the tree were glued with melted wax to a tree branch or attached by pins. Around 1890, candleholders were first used for Christmas candles. Between 1902 and 1914, small lanterns and glass balls to hold the candles started to be used. Early electric Christmas lights were introduced with electrification, beginning in the 1880s.

The illuminated Christmas tree became established in the UK during Queen Victoria's reign, and through emigration spread to North America and Australia. In her journal for Christmas Eve 1832, the 13-year-old princess wrote, "After dinner.. we then went into the drawing-room near the dining-room. There were two large round tables on which were placed two trees hung with lights and sugar ornaments. All the presents being placed round the trees".^[15] Until the availability of inexpensive electrical power in the early 20th century, miniature candles were commonly (and in some cultures still are) used.

The first known electrically illuminated Christmas tree was the creation of Edward H. Johnson, an associate of inventor Thomas Edison. While he was vice president of the Edison Electric Light Company, he had Christmas tree light bulbs especially made for him. He proudly displayed his Christmas tree, which was hand-wired with 80 red, white and blue electric incandescent light bulbs the size of walnuts, in December 1882 at his home near Fifth Avenue in New York City.^[16][17] Local newspapers ignored the story, seeing it as a publicity stunt.^[18] However, it was published by a Detroit newspaper reporter,^[16][17] and Johnson has become widely regarded as the Father of Electric Christmas Tree Lights. By 1900, businesses started stringing up Christmas lights behind their windows.^[19] Christmas lights were too expensive for the average person; as such, electric Christmas lights did not become the majority replacement for candles until 1930.^[20]

In 1895, US President Grover Cleveland sponsored the first electrically lit Christmas tree in the White House. It featured over a hundred multicolored lights. The first commercially produced Christmas tree lamps were manufactured in strings of multiples of eight sockets by the General Electric Co. of Harrison, New Jersey. Each socket accepted a miniature two-candela carbon-filament lamp.

The first recorded uses of Christmas lights on outdoor trees occurred in San Diego in 1904; Appleton, Wisconsin, in 1909; and New York City in 1912.^[20] McAdenville, North Carolina, claims to have been the first in 1956.^[21] The Library of Congress credits the town for inventing "the tradition of decorating evergreen trees with Christmas lights dates back to 1956 when the McAdenville Men's Club conceived of the idea of decorating a few trees around the McAdenville Community Center."^[22] However, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has had "lights" since 1931, but did not have real electric lights until 1956.^[23] Furthermore, Philadelphia's Christmas Light Show and Disney's Christmas Tree also began in 1956.^[24][25] In Canada, archival photos taken in 1956 around suburban Toronto capture several instances of outdoor evergreens illuminated with Christmas lights.^[26] Though General Electric sponsored community lighting competitions during the 1920s, it would take until the mid-1950s for the use of such lights to be adopted by average households.

Christmas lights found use in places other than Christmas trees. By 1919, city electrician John Malpiede began decorating the new Civic Center Park in Denver, Colorado, eventually expanding the display to the park's Greek Amphitheater and later to the adjacent new Denver City and County Building - City Hall upon its completion in 1932. ^{[27] [28]} Soon, strings of lights adorned mantles and doorways inside homes, and ran along the rafters, roof lines, and porch railings of homes and businesses. In recent times, many city skyscrapers are decorated with long mostly-vertical strings of a common theme, and are activated simultaneously in Grand Illumination ceremonies.

In 1963, a boycott of Christmas lights was done in Greenville, North Carolina, to protest the segregation that kept blacks from being employed by downtown businesses in Greenville, during the Christmas sales season. Known as the Black Christmas boycott or "Christmas Sacrifice", it was an effective way to protest the cultural and fiscal segregation in the town with 33% black population. Light decorations in the homes, on the Christmas trees, or outside the house were not shown, and only six houses in the black community broke the boycott that Christmas.^[29]

In 1973, during an oil shortage triggered by an embargo by the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (later OPEC), President Nixon asked Americans not to put up Christmas lights to conserve energy use. Many Americans complied, and there were fewer displays that year.^[30]

In the mid-2000s, the video of the home of Carson Williams was widely distributed on the internet as a viral video. It garnered national attention in 2005 from The Today Show on NBC, Inside Edition and the CBS Evening News and was featured in a Miller television commercial.^[31][32] Williams turned his hobby into a commercial venture, and was commissioned to scale up his vision to a scale of 250,000 lights at a Denver shopping center, as well as displays in parks and zoos.