State Parks Open Their Terrain Up to Sponsorships

Brands looking for new ways to message to outdoor enthusiasts may soon be able to via state park sponsorships. Per a recent Associated Press feature, New Hampshire, Maine, Virginia, and Georgia are reportedly considering using corporate partnerships to support and fund their state parks.

The state of New Hampshire may become the first state to delve into corporate partnerships. The state has a deal on the table with Eastern Mountain Sports to promote state parks in its outdoor clothing and apparel stores in exchange for having state park's promote the company's products. As part of the agreement, park staffers would wear uniforms featuring the Mountain Sports logo and other partnership ideas call for Eastern Mountain Sports to provide kayaking lessons and other programs and host a "park of the future" contest that enables park goers to suggest new programs and features they would like to see.

Corporate partnerships, if executed correctly, make a lot of sense for state parks. They provide funding to support park maintenance and upkeep, help drive awareness, and create nontraditional relationships with local communities.

Per the Associated Press article, the state of Virginia is close to announcing a promotional partnership with The North Face, allowing the company to install touch-screen welcome kiosks with trail information and printable maps. The state of Maine has worked with local private companies to sponsor a passport program that gives park goers benefits.

Look for more state park programs to come in the near future!

Source: Associated Press