Corporate Naming Rights in National Parks Could be Happening Soon

Crayola Rainbow Curve Overlook at Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park?

How about Dasani Overlook at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon?

Corporate naming rights could be a reality in over 400 national parks, monuments and conservation areas thanks to Director of National Parks Service, Jonathan Jarvis. According to an article in the Denver Post, "The great thing about the policy is it protects those features of the park that are important to all of us," said Jeff Reinbold, associate director for partnership and civic engagement for the park service's "but it gives us new opportunities and new tools".

Naming rights to a visitor center or roads would not be permitted, but something like an auditorium could have corporate naming rights as well as the company's logo on the structure. Trash cans, benches, research, interpretive centers, youth programs and even tour buses could have corporation logos displayed. Additionally, donors will now be allowed to construct a park building and operate it.

"You could use Old Faithful to pitch Viagra," said Jeff Ruch, Executive Director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. A group that is trying to get the park community to fight the plan. "Every developed area in a park could become a venue for product placement," Ruch said. "A telecom company could say, 'Nice mountain, we'll make a generous donations for the right of way.'"

Park officials say the shift was tested during the centennial celebration this year was brought on by an $11 billion backlog of maintenance projects. Flat funding from Congress and attracting a younger and more diverse visitors to the parks seem to be lacking could possibly be changed with the right corporate partnerships.

My personal preference is that I don't want to see logos in national parks. When we go to places like this, we are there to get away from it all. Not to see cell phone, food or electronics logo in the wilderness. On the other hand, if the funding is in that much of a desperate need, why not accept the funds from companies, give credit to said corporation sans the distracting logos.