Section 19-720. SUPPORT FOR PARKS, FACILITIES, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND EVENTS

 

720.1No individual or group shall provide support for Department programs, parks, or facilities without first entering into a written agreement with the Department under one (1) of the following categories:

 

(a) Programmatic Partnerships;

 

(b) Friends of Partnerships;

 

(c) Adopt-A-Park;

 

(d) Sponsor-A-Park;

 

(e) Sponsorships; or

 

(f) Donations.

 

720.2To enter into an agreement under Subsections 720.1(a) through (e), an interested party shall first submit a written proposal to the Department.  To enter into an agreement under Subsection 720.1(f), interested parties shall first complete a donation form. 

 

720.3The following criteria may be considered to review a proposal and determine whether an application will be offered:

 

(a) Value of the service or goods: twenty percent (20%);

 

(b) Need for the service or goods: twenty percent (20%);

 

(c) Sponsor organization’s nexus to the mission of the Department: twenty percent (20%);

 

(d) Sponsor organization’s demonstration of a unique method, approach, or concept: twenty percent (20%); and

 

(e) Other factors the Department deems appropriate and reasonable: twenty percent (20%).

 

720.4Following the review of a proposal, the Department may offer the interested party an opportunity to apply for a category that the Department deems appropriate.  Failure to provide all of the requested information in the application form shall result in the denial of the application.

 

720.5An offer of a donation must not include any expectation of a current or future benefit or consideration in exchange for the donation.  A donation may be accepted if it does not create an actual or perceived conflict of interest with the District on the part of the donor.

 

720.6Acceptance of a donation will be determined by the District of Columbia Office of Partnerships and Grant Services.

 

720.7Unsolicited sponsorship proposals shall become the property of the Department.

 

720.8All written agreements that involve entrance onto Department properties to make improvements shall also be subject to the requirements of the Department of General Services for entry, use, or improvement of property under all applicable laws of the District.

 

720.9Department property may be used for fundraising by Friends’ Groups or Designated Organizations.

 

720.10Before any fundraising activity is permitted, the group shall submit a written proposal including a plan for the use of space, estimated costs, proposed net earnings, a summary of the fundraising event or activities, including any advertising, sponsorships, the property requested, and a description of any proposed food or drink sales.  The proposal shall also specify the proposed use of any funds raised.  The Department may deny a proposal for a fundraiser if the Department deems the proposal insufficient as to the manner that the funds are collected and safeguarded or if the fundraiser does not align with the written agreement of the group.

 

720.11All funds raised shall be managed by the group in a dedicated bank account for the benefit of the Department except that any reasonable costs of the fundraiser listed in the fundraising proposal approved by the Department may be deducted from the funds raised.

 

720.12The group shall provide a written report of all income and expenses from the fundraiser to the Department within a time designated by the Department.

 

720.13Fundraisers by for-profit groups shall be limited to groups with written sponsorship agreements with the Department and all funds raised shall be for the benefit of the Department.

 

720.14All maintenance and beautification work authorized by this section shall be performed in a manner that will not adversely affect the public health, safety, or comfort.

 

720.15An improvement made to a park, playground, recreation center, or other facility by a private person or organization under this section shall become the property of the District government.

 

720.16The District government reserves the right to remove any improvement made in its sole discretion.

 

 

authority

Sections 5 and 7a of the Recreation Act of 1994 (the Recreation Act), effective March 23, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-246; D.C. Official Code §§ 10-304 and 307 (2013 Repl.)), and Sections 6 and 6a of An Act to Vest in the Commissioners of the District of Columbia Control of Street Parking in said District, approved July 1, 1898 (30 Stat. 571; D.C. Official Code §§ 10-137 and 10-137.01 (2013 Repl.)).

source

15 DCRR § 5.1 (August 10, 1970 and December 23, 1970); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 8248 (June 10, 2016).