HomeMy WebLinkAboutA030 - Resolution approving naming the Mini-Pitch at Lloyd Kurtz Park "The Friedrich Pitch"ITEM #:35
DATE:04-08-25
DEPT:P&R
SUBJECT:MINI-PITCH NAMING
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
At its November 12, 2024 meeting, City Council directed staff to solicit donations to alleviate the City’s
financial commitment for the installation of a mini-pitch in Lloyd Kurtz Park. After Council awarded
contracts on December 10, 2024 for the construction of a mini-pitch, staff developed promotional
materials to solicit donations. Several categories with associated dollar amounts were created and are
shown below:
Naming Rights $50,000
Banner Sponsor $ 5,000
Bench Sponsor $ 1,500
Donations:
Platinum $ 2,500
Gold $ 1,500
Silver $ 1,000
Bronze $ 500
This information was sent to 156 businesses with staff receiving several responses. Three Bench
Sponsor commitments were received from the following:
• Central State Bank
• Draintech
• Greater Iowa Credit Union
Staff also received interest from Kurt and Sindy Friedrich regarding the Naming Rights option. After
several conversations, the Friedrichs have pledged $50,000 for the mini-pitch naming rights.
NAMING POLICY:
The City has a Parks and Recreation Naming Policy, which is included as Attachment A. There are
three categories in which a park and/or recreational facility can be named. The categories and
discussion from the policy are listed below:
Historic Events, People, and Places
The history of a major event, place or person may play an important role in the naming or renaming of a
park as communities often wish to preserve and honor the history of a city, its founders, other historical
figures, its Native American heritage, local landmarks and prominent geographical locations, and
natural and geological features through the naming of parks.
Outstanding Individuals
The City has benefited, through its evolution, from the contributions made by many outstanding
individuals. This category is designed to acknowledge the sustained contribution that has been made by
1
such individuals to the City and/or the development and management of the City’s park and recreation
system.
Major Donations
Over the years, the City of Ames Parks and Recreation Department has benefited from the generosity of
some of its residents, businesses, and foundations. On occasion, the significance of such donations may
warrant consideration being given to requests from either the donor or another party to acknowledge
such donations by naming.
In order for a naming request to be considered, an application must be completed and submitted to the
Parks and Recreation Director. The Director will then review the application and make a
recommendation to the Parks and Recreation Commission, who in turn make a recommendation to City
Council. A final decision regarding the naming request will be made by the Council.
NAMING APPLICATION:
Since staff solicited commitments for Naming Rights, an application form (Attachment B) was
completed by staff. All the required information has been submitted. The application requests to name
the Mini-Pitch in Lloyd Kurtz Park “The Friedrich Pitch” under the category of Major Donations.
The application provides more information, but a brief summary follows. Kurt and Sindy Friedrich are
wanting to give back to the Ames community that has provided excellent opportunities for their family,
especially their children who grew up playing soccer in Ames.
Friedrich Realty has been in business in Ames since 1927 and is a very reputable company. Kurt and
Sindy’s desire is to ultimately enrich the lives of others in Ames and enhance the quality of life within
the community. They view the mini-pitch as a project that adds a uniqueness to an already wonderful
park system. With the generous donation of $50,000 for the development of the Mini-Pitch at Lloyd
Kurtz Park, they can enrich many lives through the game of soccer, which has provided much joy and
camaraderie for the Friedrich family and many others.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION INPUT:
The Parks and Recreation Director presented the naming request to the Parks and Recreation
Commission at it March 27. 2025 meeting and recommended approval of the request. The Commission
thanked Central State Bank, Draintech, and Greater Iowa Credit Union for their commitment to
becoming Bench Sponsors. They also thanked Kurt and Sindy Friedrich for their generous pledge of
$50,000 for the naming of the mini-pitch. The Commission recommended City Council approve
naming the Mini-Pitch in Lloyd Kurtz Park "The Friedrich Pitch." The motion passed 5-0.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the request to name the Mini-Pitch located in Lloyd Kurtz Park “The Friedrich Pitch.”
2. Do not approve the request to name the Mini-Pitch located in Lloyd Kurtz Park “The Friedrich
Pitch.”
3. Refer back to staff.
2
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
This is the third request received since the Parks and Recreation Naming Policy was approved in 2016.
Since the request refers to naming a major feature for a major donation, conformance to the criteria
must be evaluated. Regarding a major donation, the policy states:
From time to time, a significant donation may be made to the City that will add considerable value to
the City’s park and recreation system. On such occasions, recognition of this donation by
naming/renaming a park, recreation facility, and/or major feature in honor of or at the request of the
donor will be considered.
The City Council may use its discretion as to what dollar amount is worthy of naming rights for
individual projects, on a case-by-case basis.
Donors seeking naming rights for major donations with respect to an individual should follow the
principles outlined in 4.b. Exceptions to this will be considered on their own merits.
Naming parks and/or recreational facilities with a company name is not permitted, however, company
names will be considered for Major Features. Corporate logos, insignias, brands, or direct advertising
text shall not be permitted.
Currently, the City has allocated $351,190 for this project which is the amount of awarded contracts,
contingency, and design services. If the $50,000 from Kurt and Sindy Friedrich is accepted, their
contribution will be 14% of the total project cost. Examples of previous naming rights based of major
donations include: Helen Daley received naming rights for Daley Park by donating $100,000 or 38% of
the total project cost. Don and Ruth Furman donated $2,000,000 or 21% of the total project cost for
naming rights of the Furman Aquatic Center. The Fitch Family is the namesake of the under
construction Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center for $3,000,000 or 10.7% of the estimated project cost.
Kurt and Sindy Friedrich have good moral character, are well respected within Ames, and are willing to
make a financial contribution for the mini-pitch construction. Therefore, it is the City Manager's
recommendation that the City Council approve Alternative No. 1, which is to approve the request to
name the Mini-Pitch located in Lloyd Kurtz Park “The Friedrich Pitch.”
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment A - Parks Naming Policy and Application.pdf
Attachment B - Application to Name Mini-Pitch in Lloyd Kurtz Park.docx
3
PARK NAMING REQUEST
Current Park Name:
Proposed Park Name:
Park Location:
(Please attach a description/map showing the location and boundaries of the park.)
RECREATION FACILITY NAMING REQUEST
Proposed Facility Name:
(Please attach a description/map showing the location of the facility.)
MAJOR FEATURE NAMING REQUEST
Proposed Feature Name:
Major Feature Location:
Requested by:
Address:
I request a recreational facility to be named of renamed.
515 Clark Ave - Ames, IA 50010
Phone: 515-239-5350
Fax: 515-239-5355
www.amesparkrec.org
4
A. The reason(s) for the proposed name.
B.
C.
D.
Notes:
OFFICE USE ONLY
proposed name. (i.e. letters of support, petitions, etc.)
include documentation of that individual's significant contribution in regards to the Ames Park
I certify that the statements made in this application and any attachments are true to the best of my
knowledge. I understand that the Parks and Recreation Director will assess and authenticate any
information provided in this application pursuant to the Parks and Recreation Naming Policy. I also
understand once submitted, this application and any findings during the authentication process will
become part of the public record and will continue to be part of the public record whether the
application is approved or denied.
Please attach the following documentation as a part of this application.
5
PARKS AND RECREATION NAMING POLICY
1. INTRODUCTION
The naming or renaming of parks and recreational facilities is a complex and
sometimes emotionally evocative since assigning a name is a powerful and
permanent identity for a public place and/or facility. The naming and renaming of
parks and/or recreational facilities often requires significant resources in terms of
changing names on signs, maps, and literature. In addition, excessive and
constant name changing can be the source of confusion to the public. The
purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to those that have an interest in the
naming and or renaming of the City’s parks and/or recreational facilities.
2. DEFINITIONS
a. Naming:
The permanent name assigned by City Council to a given park or
recreational facility.
b. Parks:
All traditionally designed parks, gardens, natural open spaces, woodlands,
and specialized parks under the stewardship of the City of Ames Parks
and Recreation Department.
c. Recreational Facilities:
Major structures such as community centers, swimming pools, and
enclosed pavilions located within lands under the stewardship of City of
Ames Parks and Recreation Department.
d. Major Features:
Major permanent components of park and recreational facilities, e.g.
sports fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, shelters, fountains, artwork, or
physical features (lakes). Rooms within buildings are considered to be
Major Features.
e. Amenities:
Smaller furnishings and facilities in the parks and recreation system (e.g.
benches, drinking fountains, tables, etc.). Amenities are not formally
named. Recognition for donated amenities is possible.
f. Donations:
A donation of property, goods or cash generally with no expectation of
return. If the gift is contingent upon a special request, it is made subject to
“condition.”
3. POLICY STATEMENT
It is the policy of the City of Ames Parks and Recreation Department to reserve
the name or renaming of parks, recreational facilities, and/or major features for
6
circumstances that will best serve the interests of the city and ensure a worthy
and enduring legacy for the City’s park and recreation system.
To this end, the City of Ames Parks and Recreation Department supports
consideration of naming requests within the following broad categories.
a. Historic Events, People, and Places
The history of a major event, place or person may play an important role in
the naming or renaming of a park as communities often wish to preserve
and honor the history of a city, its founders, other historical figures, its
Native American heritage, local landmarks and prominent geographical
locations, and natural and geological features through the naming of
parks.
b. Outstanding Individuals
The City has benefited, through its evolution, from the contributions made
by many outstanding individuals. This category is designed to
acknowledge the sustained contribution that has been made by such
individuals to the City and/or the development and management of the
City’s park and recreation system.
c. Major Donations
Over the years, the City of Ames Parks and Recreation Department has
benefited from the generosity of some of its residents, businesses, and
foundations. On occasion, the significance of such donations may warrant
consideration being given to requests from either the donor or another
party to acknowledge such donations by naming.
4. GUIDING PRINCIPLES
a. Naming/renaming for Historic Events, People, and Places
When considering naming a park, recreational facility, or major feature
after events, people and places of historic, cultural or social significance,
requests must demonstrate this significance through research and
documentation and show there is continued importance to the city, region,
state, and/or nation.
b. Naming/renaming for Outstanding Individuals
A park, recreational facility, or major feature may be named for an
outstanding individual who has made a significant contribution to the
Ames parks and recreation system, the City of Ames, the State of Iowa, or
the nation. In addition to societal contributions, the moral character of the
individual must be considered. When considering requests, it is preferred
that the individual has a connection to the park, recreational facility, or
major feature being requested to be named.
7
c. Naming/Renaming for Major Donations
From time to time, a significant donation may be made to the City that will
add considerable value to the City’s park and recreation system. On such
occasions, recognition of this donation by naming/renaming a park,
recreation facility, and/or major feature in honor of or at the request of the
donor will be considered.
The City Council may use its discretion as to what dollar amount is worthy
of naming rights for individual projects, on a case by case basis. Likewise,
City Council can use its discretion as to whether or not to allow for
corporate naming/renaming rights. Corporate logos, insignias, brands or
direct advertising text shall not be permitted.
Donors seeking naming rights for major donations with respect to an
individual should follow the principles outlined in 4.b. Exceptions to this will
be considered on their own merits.
d. Renaming a park, recreational facility, and/or major feature
Proposals to rename parks, recreational facilities, and/or major features
whether for a major gift or community request are not encouraged.
Likewise, names that have become widely accepted by the community will
not be abandoned unless there are compelling reasons and strong public
sentiment from the broader community for doing so. Historical or
commonly used place names will be preserved wherever possible.
e. Other Considerations
When naming/renaming a park, recreational facility, and/or major feature,
does the proposed name engender a strong positive image, have
historical, cultural or social significance for future generations, and have
broad public support?
To minimize confusion, parks will not be subdivided for the purpose of
naming unless there are readily identifiable physical divisions such as
roads or waterways. However, naming of specific major recreational
facilities within parks will be permitted; under these circumstances such
names should be different to the park name to avoid user confusion.
All signs that indicate the name of a park and/or recreational facility shall
comply with City of Ames graphic and design standards. Specialized
naming signage will not be permitted.
City of Ames Parks and Recreation Department reserves the right to
rename any park, recreational facility, and/or major feature if the person
for whom it is named turns out to be disreputable or subsequently acts in a
disreputable way.
8
5. PROCEDURES
These procedures have been established to ensure that the naming or renaming
of parks, recreational facilities, and/or major features is approached in a
consistent manner.
a. Requests for naming/renaming of parks, recreational facilities and/or
major features
All requests for the naming or renaming of a park, recreational facility,
and/or major feature shall be made by submitting a Naming Application to
the Director of Ames Parks and Recreation.
The Naming Application will contain the following minimum information:
1. The proposed name
2. Reasons for the proposed name
3. Written documentation indicating a certification of character and
community support for the proposed name (e.g. letters of support,
petitions, etc.)
4. If proposing to name a park, include a description/map showing
location and boundaries of the park
5. If proposing to name a recreational facility or major feature within a
park, include a description/map showing the location of the facility.
6. If proposing to rename a park, recreational facility, or major feature,
include justification for changing an established name.
7. If proposing to name a park, recreational facility, or major feature
for an outstanding individual, include documentation of that
individual’s significant contribution in regards to the Ames park
system, the City, State and/or Nation
b. Assessing and approving naming/renaming requests
Upon receipt of a naming request by Ames Parks and Recreation, the
Parks and Recreation Director shall:
1. Review the proposed request for its adherence to the Parks and
Recreation Naming Policy.
2. Ensure that supporting information has been authenticated,
particularly when an individual’s name is proposed
3. Seek input from relevant neighborhood association(s), historical
groups, and other organizations, if deemed appropriate
The Parks and Recreation Director will then present a recommendation
regarding the naming request at a public meeting to the Parks and
Recreation Commission. At this meeting, the Parks and Recreation
Commission will develop their own recommendation regarding the request
to be presented to City Council.
9
c. Final decision by City Council
The Parks and Recreation Commission’s recommendation regarding the
naming/renaming request, along with the Parks and Recreation Director’s
recommendation if different, will be presented to the City Council at a
public meeting for a final decision.
10
ATTACHMENT B
CITY OF AMES PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
NAMING APPLICATION
PARKS, RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND/OR MAJOR FEATURES
Person making the request
Name: Keith Abraham, Parks and Recreation Director
Address: 515 Clark Ave.
City, State, Zip: Ames, IA 50010
E-mail Address: keith.abraham@cityofames.org
Phone: 515-239-5349
Naming request
Please check what is being requested to be named/renamed:
□Park
Park Name:
Park Location:
Please attach a description/map showing the location and boundaries of the park.
□Recreational Facility
Facility Name:
Facility Location:
Please include a description/map showing the location of the facility.
X Major Feature
Major Feature to be named: Mini Pitch
Major Feature location: Lloyd Kurtz Park, 3710 Hyde Ave.
Please include a description/map showing the location of the Major Feature.
11
Please list the proposed name:
The Friedrich Pitch
Please list the reasons for the proposed name:
Kurt and Sindy Friedrich are excited about this amenity and donating to this
project. The name includes the Friedrich name and what the amenity is and is
what the Friedrich’s have proposed.
Please attach written documentation indicating a certification of character and community
support for the proposed name.
Friedrich Realty is a reputable company and have met the real estate needs of
many individuals since 1927. They have developed many acres of land into
thriving home developments and commercial structures over that time. Kurt
Friedrich, Owner, and his family have been staples in the community for many
years and see this donation of $50,000 as an opportunity to give back to the
community that has given so much to their family.
If proposing to rename a park, recreational facility, or major feature, include justification
for changing an established name.
As mentioned earlier, Kurt and Sindy Friedrich are wanting to give back to the
Ames community that has provided excellent opportunities for their family
especially their children who grew up playing soccer in the Ames community.
Also, Kurt and Sindy’s desire is to ultimately enrich the lives of others in Ames.
With the generous donation of $50,000 for the development of the Mini-Pitch at
Lloyd Kurtz Park, they can enrich many lives through the game of soccer, which
has provided much joy and camaraderie for the Friedrich family and many
others.
If proposing to name a park, recreational facility, or major feature for an outstanding
individual, include documentation of that individual’s significant contribution in regards to
the Ames park system, the City, State, and/or Nation.
N/A
Please submit this application and all supporting documents to:
Director of Parks and Recreation
515 Clark Avenue
Ames, IA 50010
12