Lewes considering sponsorships on public property

Lewes prohibits commercial businesses from permanently displaying their names on city-owned property, including in parks. That may soon change.

The city’s parks and recreation commission discussed the issue April 17. Discussion was sparked when Ocean City, Md.-based East Coast Contracting, the company working on repairing and replacing the boardwalk at Canalfront Park, wanted to construct a bench out of excess decking material and donate the item to Canalfront Park with the company’s name displayed on the installation. Council decided it was best to have parks and recreation commissioners review the proposal and consider updates to the city’s policy.

Nonprofit organizations and individuals are permitted to display their names on donated items such as trees and benches, but for-profit groups have been limited to a few bricks commemorating the Overfalls Foundation and temporary signage elsewhere.

Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Janet Reeves noted there is a need for bike racks and benches around Lewes, and allowing the commercial sector to display their names could be beneficial.

“I think it’s important to give organizations recognition, but I think we need to control how we recognize,” Reeves said. “We need to decide at what level are we going to recognize something.”

Commissioners do not appear to oppose the idea, but the group wants to establish reasonable parameters for things like the size of the recognition, how often they can be recognized and making sure they are fulfilling a need. Commissioners don’t feel it's an opportunity for companies to advertise, but rather a way to recognize their efforts to improve the community.

Concerns center around unintentionally opening the floodgates and losing control over what is placed in parks. Commissioners are worried about larger businesses taking advantage of the policy or some businesses overshadowing their donations with excessive marketing on the commemorative display. 

The banner East Coast Contracting recently displayed in Canalfront Park was cited as an example of going a bit too far. Reeves said the contractor took the banner down and was permitted to display smaller signs.

It was agreed to consider using plaques similar to those used in the commemorative tree and bench program. Commissioner Barry Dunkin said as long as recognitions remain small plaques, whoever is donating should be able to do so freely, given it fulfills a need.

“My main caution is that it’s the thin edge of a wedge,” said Commissioner Kay Carnahan. “It always starts out with something reasonable and positive, then all of a sudden it’s something you don’t want and you can’t say no.”

Dunkin and Tree Commissioner Mardi Thompson said there are safeguards in place to prevent cluttering. Dunkin said when someone wants to donate something, they could be presented with a catalog of what is needed in the parks. The placement of trees and other amenities in parks is reviewed by commissioners, Thompson said.

Reeves said there is a lot of interest in benches in Canalfront Park, and the Friends of Canalfront Park have signaled some support for the idea. Reeves said she thinks a program can be rolled into the existing commemorative bench and tree policy. She said it's a good opportunity to work with the bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee, which is also seeking to add amenities around Lewes.

Commissioners agreed to gather more information and continue to discuss the issue in May.

Canalfront Park and Net House deck repairs 

While East Coast Contracting has mostly been on schedule to repair the Canalfront Park boardwalk and the Net House, Reeves said two weeks have been added to the timeline.

Shortly after beginning work in March, East Coast Contracting discovered rot in some of the wooden pylons beneath the decking. Epoxy was applied and the contractor put water seal on the repaired areas, creating 12 to 14 days of additional work. Reeves said work is expected to be completed on both the boardwalk decking and Net House deck about June 22. The parking lot will remain closed until the staging area for construction materials is no longer needed.