Watertown City Council approves naming rights deal for new downtown park  (Audio)

December 20, 2021
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–Watertown’s new downtown park will be known as the Watertown Area Community Foundation Plaza.

It’s a naming rights deal that comes with a $500,000 donation from the foundation to help develop the park along Kemp Avenue, just south of County Fair Foods.

Before the deal was approved, the council discussed whether the Community Foundation should have “exclusive” naming rights, or whether other interested organizations should be allowed secondary sponsorship opportunities.

Mayor Ried Holien mentioned one possiblity; a naming rights deal for the park’s bandshell.

Councilman Mike Danforth said he doesn’t want to see the park turn into a, “giant commercial,” but also doesn’t want to see the city say “no” to money that can help Park Department staff operate and maintain the park…

The council approved the naming rights deal unanimously, with the understanding that the Community Foundation would have the, “dominant and prominent” signage at the park, but that secondary naming right deals would be allowed.

Under the terms of the donation, the foundation will pay the city in $50,000 installments over a ten year period.