Charlotte Observer
Tue, Feb. 07, 2006

Car Dealer Wants to Buy Naming Rights in Park
by Carrie Levine

Your day in the park has been sponsored by Scott Clark's Toyota City?

Mecklenburg Park and Recreation officials say the owner of the car dealership has offered to pay $100,000 in exchange for naming rights to a bandshell in Freedom Park, and they're considering the deal.

The county has never sold naming rights.

"The park commission is fairly strapped," said Park and Recreation Director Wayne Weston, "and when someone comes forward with an idea such as this, we listen."

The department has allowed corporations to sponsor events, and the county has named other public buildings and sections of greenway after private donors and volunteers. Cities around the country have sold naming rights to publicly owned stadiums, and cash-poor school districts have done the same for school buildings and other facilities.

But a bandshell?

County spokesman Danny Diehl said the county is drafting a policy on naming rights. Commissioners must approve selling them.

Parks department Branch Manager Greg Jackson said Clark has donated $20,000 to Partners to Parks -- pending approval of the deal -- and would donate another $10,000 a year for the next eight years.

In exchange, Jackson said the dealership wants four signs announcing its sponsorship. Jackson said the signs would be tasteful, although the department hasn't made a final decision on size or design.

Al Christensen, a member of Friends of Freedom Park, said corporate sponsorship in public parks is "really crass," even though he believes the park and recreation department needs the money.

"It's a public space," he said. "The things in the park are still part of that."

How to Weigh in

Park and Recreation officials will discuss the deal at 6:30 p.m. March 15 at the Freedom Park pavilion.

The public is invited.
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