Naming Rights Policy
The City's Parks Foundation is developing a Naming Rights Policy intended to enable corporate or donor sponsorships of park assets — such as pavilions and the Thaiss Park scoreboard — as a funding mechanism for larger-scale parks projects. 2 separate matters touch this plan or program; each has its own status.
Thaiss Park
Thaiss Park is a City park undergoing a full redevelopment project contracted to Bright Masonry, Inc. for $7,725,650, approved by City Council on October 8, 2024. Construction began in December 2024 following utility relocation work and full park closure; the cross-county trail was kept open but made inaccessible from the park during construction.
- Old Business – Naming Rights Policy
A naming rights policy is being developed for items such as pavilions and the Thaiss Park scoreboard; the Parks Foundation infrastructure is now in place to support it.
WSHCC
The West Side Human Community Center (WSHCC) is a city parks capital project that progressed through budgetary planning, land use approval, and City Council authorization over approximately one year. Through mid-2025, staff was preparing low, medium, and high cost-recovery scenarios for the facility, with community preference noted for open gym time over heavy rental use.
- May 14, 2026Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 7New Business
A naming rights policy is being developed by the Parks Foundation to help fund larger-scale projects; discussed under new business in connection with the Parks Foundation's 501(c)3 status update from item 3.
In full
The policy was first discussed at the May 14, 2026 joint PRAB and School Board meeting in connection with the Parks Foundation's 501(c)3 status. By June 11, 2026, the Foundation's infrastructure was reported to be in place: its website was live, directors had email accounts, donation management software had been purchased, and approximately $470,000 in the Legacy account was set to transfer to the Foundation on July 1st. As of an October 12, 2026 discussion, the naming rights policy had not yet been finalized, but once clear, it is expected to open up sponsorship and naming rights revenue streams for the Foundation.