Village Green Phase 2 fundraising underway; committee volunteers already securing small pledges

The committee received an update on Village Green Phase 2 fundraising on Aug. 18, with staff reporting that the city engaged Unlimited Play as a single-source contractor to lead fundraising and that a landing page and sponsorship catalog are live.

Melanie (parks staff leading fundraising) told the committee that Unlimited Play had created a landing page and a catalog of sponsorships and that the city had formed a fundraising committee composed of three citizen volunteers, staff and a council member. “We did receive...an oral commitment for sponsoring one of our slides,” Melanie said, noting a $5,000 sponsorship commitment in the early outreach and that the landing page showed about 25% of the $2,294,000 target reached (site displayed a thermometer indicating 25% funded).

The committee discussed promotional tactics for Celebrate Wildwood and other events, catalogue visibility and how to present recognition and sponsorship levels in the park. Staff said printed materials would be available before Celebrate Wildwood and that the fundraising group was preparing outreach lists and shared documents to coordinate solicitation and track donors. Staff estimated larger-scale sponsorship recognitions starting at $1,000 and noted smaller giving options for people who want to contribute modest amounts; the catalog includes recognition tiers and unlimited-play’s platform will record donations and available pieces.

No city funds were requested to underwrite the fundraising effort; staff asked for the committee’s input on outreach and recognition. Committee members recommended clearer links from the landing page to the sponsorship catalog and suggested onsite multimedia at Celebrate Wildwood to show the playground concept and sponsorship levels.