Released: September 22, 2023
Contest to provide residents a chance to name the new park at the site of the former Don Guanella School
Delaware County Council is excited to launch the “Name Our Park” contest that invites Delaware County residents to share their creativity and submit their suggestions for the official name of the new 213-acre park being planned for the former Don Guanella School site in Marple Township.
The challenge to residents is simple yet incredibly fun: Name our brand-new park!
The contest, which runs through Tuesday, October 31, aims to find a fitting and inspiring name for our new park that embodies the theme of “Community, in Nature”. It offers Delaware County residents a unique opportunity to have a lasting influence on the park’s identity for generations to come, by providing a name that will resonate with the spirit of our community and foster a sense of belonging.
The contest is the latest example of robust community engagement efforts that have integrated months of open houses, community discussions, pop-up events, focus groups, and online surveys that have resulted in over 4,000 responses, into a master plan that will shape the future of the new park.
To kickstart the Name Our Park contest, the County has created a captivating video featuring Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer, offering residents a virtual glimpse of the park's vast unspoiled expanse and its incredible potential.
“This naming contest embodies the spirit of unity and creativity that makes our county so special,” said Vice Chair Schaefer. “We hope that by involving our residents in this process, we'll nurture a sense of ownership, and create a park name that reflects the true essence of Delaware County, connecting us to our heritage and the beauty of the park's natural landscape.”
In addition to the naming rights and the satisfaction of providing the park’s official name, the resident who submits the winning name will also receive $250 and be honored at a future unveiling showcasing the name on the official park signage.
The Name Our Park video can be viewed at DelcoPA.gov/ContestVideo
To submit a name for consideration, go to DelcoPA.gov/NameOurPark, and complete the short entry form — including your suggested name, your reason for the name, and your contact information,. The entry form takes less than five minutes! Submissions must be received by no later than Halloween, Tuesday October 31, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
The contest is open to Delaware County residents of all ages. All submissions must be submitted online. Entries should reflect the values of our community, celebrate our County's rich heritage, culture, and natural resources, and inspire a sense of inclusivity and togetherness. All submissions must be received online and only one submission per resident will be accepted.
Delaware County Council will choose the winning name from submissions received by the Halloween deadline, and are solely responsible for the final selection, based upon the naming g polices of the County. No vulgar, crude, religious, or political submissions will be considered.
Complete contest rules can be found online at DelcoPA.gov/ContestRules.
So, get your thinking caps on Delaware County — you have until 5:00 p.m. on Halloween to give us your best idea! We look forward to hearing from you. Good luck!
For more information about the park, including project updates, timelines, planning materials, and the most up-to-date version of the evolving Park Master Plan, please visit the Parks and Recreation website at DelcoPA.gov/NewPark. Follow the Name Our Park Contest on social media at #nameourpark