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Council approves parks naming rights program; Tolbert family pickleball pavilion named
Summary
Heath City Council approved in concept a naming rights sponsorship program for parks and trails and specifically approved the Tolbert family name for the pickleball pavilion. Staff and a volunteer committee outlined donor levels, plaque/monument plans and rules for vetting names; council directed staff to return with details.
The Heath City Council on Jan. 28 approved in concept a parks and trails naming rights sponsorship program and approved naming the Tolbert Pickleball Pavilion, following a presentation from the volunteer fundraising committee.
Why it matters: The naming program is intended to raise private funds to complete amenities and repairs in the Town Center and other city parks without using general tax revenues or recurring payroll funds. Council members emphasized that donated funds would be used for beautification and capital amenities, not for salaries.
John Walker and the parks committee presented a plan that groups donor opportunities by levels and asset types, including a donor garden with stone monuments, pavilion and play‑structure naming, benches, trees, an interactive fountain and other amenities. Walker said the committee will limit durations for some corporate naming rights (for example, 10 years with five‑year payment plans) and place some items in perpetuity where appropriate (for example, certain benches and dedicated donor stones). He noted early interest from private donors and local businesses and said the revenue will be used for park beautification, repairs and additional amenities.
The presentation included sample donor levels and benefits: a top donor tier (from $25,000 and above) would receive recognition on a stone monument, promotional recognition in city materials and other package benefits. Walker said some donors have offered to donate in‑kind services, such as an outfield fence for the baseball field, in exchange for recognition.
Council members asked whether donations would be restricted to capital and beautification uses; staff and the committee replied that donations would go to park‑improvement funds and would not be used for salaries. The committee said naming requests and donor inscriptions would be vetted through the parks committee and could require council approval; contracts would include provisions to remove or rescind naming if needed.
Motion and vote: A council member moved to approve agenda item 5.b in concept, including the Tolbert family pickleball naming; a second was made by Councilman Krums. The motion passed unanimously.
Ending: Staff said detailed naming agreements, contract language and a program handbook would be brought back to the council for final approval and will include vetting and decency provisions to prevent inappropriate naming selections.
