Questions and comments are due January 4, 2013; Draft policy to be presented to Planning Board January 31, 2013.
SILVER SPRING, MD –Montgomery Parks, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is proposing a Corporate Park Naming and Sponsorship Policy to guide the development of a corporate sponsorship program. The program will be administered by the Montgomery Parks Foundation and is aimed at generating non-tax based revenue to enhance the Department’s parks, facilities and services for the benefit of the public. It does not involve renaming entire parks nor does it involve selling parks.
Public input on the proposed policy is due by January 4, 2013 and may be submitted online at http://www.montgomeryparks.org/team/ppp/sponsorship.shtm or by email to Kate.Stookey@MontgomeryParks.org. A final draft policy will be presented to the Planning Board on January 31, 2013, for approval.
“A number of counties, cities, park systems and municipalities across the nation have implemented similar programs with great success,” said Mary Bradford, Director of Montgomery Parks. “Our tax funding is used to cover the costs of ongoing park maintenance and operations; sponsorship revenue will enable us to expand and enhance the services and activities we are able to provide to the public.”
The sponsorship program would provide businesses and nonprofit organizations naming, sponsorship and advertising opportunities for park facilities and programs (naming rights for entire parks will not be considered), including but not limited to:
- Regional and recreational athletic fields;
- Ice rinks;
- Dog parks;
- Picnic pavilions; and
- Special events and programs (such as the Fall Harvest Festival, concert series, or the Garden of Lights holiday light show)
“This program provides area businesses with an opportunity to express their support in a way that benefits everyone who uses our parks,” said Debbie Rankin, CFRE and Executive Director of the Montgomery Parks Foundation. “We look forward to partnering with the business community to provide much needed financial support to our county’s award-winning park system.”
The proposed Corporate Park Naming and Sponsorship Policy outlines the parameters for such opportunities, including criteria for eligibility, details on editorial discretion and other provisions.
Visit www.MontgomeryParks.org/sponsorships for a copy of the draft policy and more information on how to comment.
About The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission- Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages more than 35,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 417 parks. Montgomery Parks is a department of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. The M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems. www.montgomeryparks.org
About the Montgomery Parks Foundation
The Montgomery Parks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization established to support the creation, maintenance and improvements of Montgomery Parks’ facilities, open spaces, forests, wetlands and historic and cultural resources. The Foundation provides opportunities for county residents and businesses to support Montgomery Parks as members, donors, sponsors, and advocates, and actively seeks individual donations, sponsorships, legacy gifts, and endowments to support park operations, development and maintenance. www.montgomeryparksfoundation.org
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