It’s a dark time for Buffalo’s Riverside Park. Lighting, including that at the top of the park’s lighthouse, has been out for quite some time, according to residents in the neighborhood.

And that is a problem, said Larry Weatherbee, who told The Buffalo News that it’s been out for quite a while.

“This includes the light at the top of the lighthouse, which is the symbol of this neighborhood,” he said in an e-mail to Fix It.

He said the lights at the entrance to the park have been out as well.

In addition to detracting from the aesthetics, Weatherbee said, the lack of lighting also is a safety issue.

“It is quite dark there, and there is a bus stop at that location,” he said.

He said he has complained, but to no avail.

“All I get is the run-around from one department to another, both city and county,” he said. “With all this money being spent at other parks, I don’t understand why the small amount of money it would probably cost [to fix Riverside’s lights] is not [being spent].”

Fix It contacted Buffalo Parks Commissioner Steven Stepniak about the problem and was told the city has been looking into it.

The good news is that the repairs should be made soon.

“There is some bond money available to do necessary repairs,” Stepniak said Friday.

He said he would contact The News and provide a schedule for those repairs.

Fix It has tackled everything from faulty roads to broken public drinking fountains. Readers may submit suggestions by writing to Fix It, The Buffalo News, One News Plaza, Buffalo, NY 14203; by e-mail at

fixit@buffnews.com

;or by calling 849-6026. Fix It considers, but is not able to respond to, every suggestion.