The NPS is proposing guidelines that would trails to be renamed by sponsors according to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.


Park managers would be encouraged to offer packages that attract big corporate donors, including –

Liberalized naming rights for trails, benches, rooms and other facilities (but not parks themselves), as well as display of logos and slogans on park literature, computer screens, and plaques;
Exclusive media advertising rights to the official NPS Arrowhead symbol, the term “Proud Partner” of the National Park Service and the use of uniformed park employees in ads; and
Flexibility to negotiate customized recognition deals that “meet the needs of individual donors.”
The plan jettisons bans against accepting or soliciting donations from vendors, concessionaires, permittees and others doing business with a park. Alcohol, tobacco and even gambling companies would also be eligible park sponsors. The only up-front review of major gifts would be a subjective “totality of circumstances” test applied by top officials to determine whether the donation is “appropriate.”

http://americasroof.com/wp/archives/2005/12/03/proposed-nps-guidelines-would-permit-donor-renaming-of-trails/

I was getting myself all worked up over the thought of Parks renaming trails to be "Coors Light Trail" or "Marlboro Filter Trail", but then I read the documents linked to this post.  Here's what I found:

"When in-park displays are deemed appropriate, tasteful and unobtrusive signs, plaques or other treatments may be used. The duration of this form of recognition may vary depending on the project, donation and location.

Donor recognition through benches, bricks or paving materials, plaques or other features may be allowed as part of a Donor Recognition Plan. Their use must be consistent with a park’s cultural and natural resource management plan. To the extent the use of such elements falls within the scope of 36 CFR 2.62 referring to memorial tablet or other commemorative installation, this Order constitutes approval for such use.

Donor recognition memorials, tablets, plaques, or other commemorative installations should not be proposed in park areas if they would compete for attention with, or attract attention away from, the purpose for which the park was created to commemorate.

Temporary plaques are not to be affixed to the “historic fabric” of structures nor should they, or any other donor recognition treatment, be placed in natural zones or cultural zones where they would intrude on the character of the area.

The naming of features or park facilities will not be used to recognize monetary contributions or other donations to a park or the NPS. The naming of rooms in a park facility is allowed as part of an approved Donor Recognition Plan. Specific policies and regulations pertaining to commemorative naming and memorialization in parks are also set forth at 36 CFR §2.62 (Memorialization) and NPS Management Policies 9.6."

 

As far as I can tell, this does NOT change how features of a park can be named.  I really don't care if some room inside a visitor center gets named for a corporate sponsor.

 

Diane Winger

www.HighpointAdventures.com
NEW: www.Colorado-for-Free.com

The National Park Service has backed off on a proposal to permit advertising in the parks. However, the Parks are facing budget cuts and so are increasing fees.
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