Freedom Park sponsorship causes controversy over commercialism
Neighbors don't want the sponsorship rights to Freedom Park to be sold to private companies.

07:27 AM EST on Thursday, March 16, 2006
By ANNA CROWLEY / 6NEWS
E-mail Anna: ACrowley@WCNC.COM
6NEWS

Neighbors and patrons of Freedom Park have signed a petition to try and stop Mecklenburg County from selling rights or sponsorship rights to private companies.

Freedom Park is located in the heart of Charlotte's urban sprawl, and offers tennis courts soccer fields and scenic vistas.

A local car dealership - Scott Clark Toyota - has offered $100,000, given to the park over nine years.

Scott Clark said any advertising he wants in return will not be intrusive to Freedom Park's scenery.

"Just a few signs sponsored by Scott Clark Toyota, something small just to recognize the work that we've done. No eight by ten billboards or anything like that," Clark said.

Clark wants his Toyota dealership to sponsor the band shell, partner with CBS radio to bring a couple of concerts to the park and have four sponsorship signs at the entrance to the park.

Parks and Recreation admits it's looking for creative ways to bring in money.

But not everyone wants commercialism in Freedom Park.

"People come here to escape Scott Clark Toyota ads among other things. That's what we come here for. That's what our tax money is for," said Robert Fitzpatrick, who opposes the sponsorship.

On Wednesday night, neither side of the issue got to vote on the proposal. Instead, the board decided that the Freedom Park sponsorship issue is a county wide dilemma.

The board has decided to draft a proposed policy on the issue and bring it before the county commissioner for a vote.