From Grass to Growth
Improving the health and wellness of our students, school, and community.
In a partnership of school, local business, organizations, and residents, the Danville School Community Park Project aims to improve public health and wellness, education, and recreation by revitalizing six acres of land at Danville Middle School to create an engaging, centrally located, and accessible public park for students and the community. Centrally located, the park will be walkable from the Danville's First Ward, Third Ward, and our Mill Street business district. It is also easily accessible by car at the intersection of both major thoroughfares through town, Routes 11 and 54.
Fitness Centers
Construction of walking/bike paths ranging two-thirds of a mile with outdoor fitness centers along the path. The pathway will be flat to promote inclusivity in its function.
Adaptive Playground
New games and equipment such as Gaga Ball, Tether Ball, and inclusive playground structures for recreational use by students and children of all abilities.
STEM and Nature Focus
The park will host more than fifty native trees of 17 varieties. Educational signage with tree identifiers and ecological facts will be installed. A school community garden, featuring a rain garden, will also be constructed for school and community use. These installations will teach students about water conservation, native wildlife of Pennsylvania, and plant growth as well as offering gardening opportunities to members of the community.
Interested in reserving a school community garden plot? Click here for more information.
Honoring our Iron Heritage
Signage will be placed honoring and detailing the iron heritage of Danville, including that of the town iron mill formerly on the same site and our town's invention of the locomotive T-rail. An informational sign will also be placed at the Danville Middle School's miniature iron blast furnace replica just outside of the park's borders. This replica is a fully functional, miniaturized iron blast furnace where iron melting demonstrations occur at community heritage events.
Spacious Pavilion
A 44'x36' pavilion for school and community events will be placed on site. The pavilion will serve as an outdoor classroom and community event space with picnic table seating. This feature will be ideal as a starting point for community races, meetings, outdoor fitness clubs, concerts, and more.
Site Enhancements
The park will host revitalized tennis/pickleball courts, a reseeded athletic field, sitting benches, bike racks, picnic tables, and a large wall mural designed and painted with assistance from DMS students.
