Leland rolls out new logo

LELAND—To present a new image of Leland, officials have unveiled a new town logo.

Image contributed

The new Leland logo includes images of kayaking and golf to represent leisure activities available in town, while a storefront and shoppers show there is a healthy business environment.

Leland has used its town seal as its main symbol, but town manager David Hollis was interested in rebranding with a new logo—one that represents the things that make Leland an appealing place to visit or to live.

The logo was originally created in 2009 by Southern Sign Co. in Wilmington for the then relatively new Parks and Recreation Department, which the town formed in 2008.

Parks and Recreation director Niel Brooks worked with the sign company off an idea he came up with.

“I described the vision of what we wanted to see. They incorporated elements of our department we were looking for—outdoor recreation, use of the waterway, highlighting the natural environment,” he said.

Brooks said the parks and recreation logo received a good response from those who saw it. But it hasn’t been widely visible until the town put up new signs in the town parks, including the new Westgate Park off U.S. 17.

The good response led to a conversation between Brooks and Hollis about using the design as a basis for a new town logo.

“We wanted to move away from using the town seal,” Brooks said. “The town is progressive, which shows in the new brand.”

The logo will keep the town of Leland wordmark consistent for all departments, but the graphic elements will change to represent services each department offers.

The parks and recreation logo includes images of active people, running, kayaking and walking a dog.

For the town logo, kayaking and golf represent the leisure activities available in town, while a storefront and shoppers show there is a healthy business environment.

“The parks and recreation department came up with the logo, we wanted to build off of it. Every department will use the same basic format, but will personalize it to their department,” Hollis said.

“Other departments will change the elements. For example, public utilities’ logo could include a water tower,” Hollis said.

Once staff decided the logo suited their needs, Hollis had a contest for each department to come up with a slogan to add to it.

Emma Bennett came up with the winning idea: “Growing our future. Nourishing our roots.”

“Emma Bennett is a former intern from UNC-Wilmington who worked with the planning department last year,” Hollis said.

“We want to do something special for Emma, like make a jacket for her with the slogan. It would be good for her to have some recognition.”

The new logo will be used for signs in town and will be incorporated into the Leland website and Facebook page. But Hollis said the town seal will still be used for letterhead correspondence.

Brian Slattery is a staff writer for The Brunswick Beacon. Reach him at 754-6890 or bslattery@brunswickbeacon.com.