Site last updated: Monday, May 19, 2025

Log In

Reset Password
MENU
Butler County's great daily newspaper

County to sell naming rights

MIAMI — One fast way to market your company as environmentally edgy: put its name on a park.

Businesses and individuals will have that chance if the Broward County Commission gives the go-ahead on Tuesday to sell naming rights for parks, libraries, courthouses and other county-owned property. The idea is an effort to fill the county's budget gap.

But don't start looking for Hooters Park or the Hustler Central Courthouse. The proposal prohibits names associated with tobacco, alcohol, contraceptives, religious organizations or political candidates.

Whether the board would have final veto power isn't clear yet, said Bob Harbin, director of the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division. And no one is sure how these rights will be offered or how much money would be raised.

As a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Terry Danger said he doesn't love the idea of naming parks for corporations, but he understands why it could be necessary.

"We need to find new ways to raise money," said Danger, who lives in Hollywood, Fla. "I just don't know if it's going to be effective. What corporation is going to want to put their name on a park in Broward?"

Most Broward cities already have rules about naming rights, which usually are reserved for people a city wants to honor. Schools also are often named for individuals deemed to have made worthy contributions.

Naming rights for some facilities at public schools in Broward are for sale, for a minimum donation of $100,000, according to School Board policy. The money would go to the Broward Education Foundation, which awards scholarships to students and gives teachers grants.

More in National News

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS