Starting on July 1, the PEACE Center at Doyle Thomas Park will return to its former capacity as a Parks and Recreation facility, known as Green Street Recreation Center.
Mayor Alonzo Jones said he is supportive of the decision, noting that the neighborhood has seen a remarkable turnaround in recent years due to a focused effort on revitalization and community policing. “I grew up in this neighborhood,” Jones said. “I am pleased to see the park get reactivated with a soon-to-be open splash pad and increased activity and programming in the Center.”
Doyle Thomas Park stands as a well-loved, historic property in Danville, serving as a cornerstone of community engagement and leisure since its inception in the mid-1950s. Green Street Recreation Center held significant prominence from the 1950s through the 1990s, hosting various community groups and events, including the Choral Society, Play School Kindergartens, Senior Citizen Club, Model Car Building, Ballroom Dance, and even The Danville Chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America. Annual festivities such as Halloween carnivals, Thanksgiving parties, Christmas parties, and model car shows also became intwined in Green Street Recreation Center’s history.
Police Chief Chris Wiles said that our community policing model means there will still be a presence in the area, focused on making sure that our partnerships with neighbors stays strong. “The PEACE Community Center has fulfilled its mission, serving as a haven for the community,” he said.
Parks and Recreation Director Bill Sgrinia said that there are plans to make further enhancements to the park, which will make it even more inviting to the neighborhood. “Danville Parks and Recreation’s goal is to diversify the services offered, catering to the surrounding community,” he said. “Former patrons of Green Street Recreation Center from the 1950s to the 1990s—along with their children or grandchildren—are invited to revisit the recreation center starting in July.”
In the mid-90s, the recreation center ceased operations and underwent a transformation into a Danville Police Department precinct that served as the base for the newly formed Community Policing unit, which brought foot patrols to the Green Street and North Main Street areas. In 2021, recognizing the importance of community engagement, it reverted to its original purpose as a community center. Operated by the Danville Police Department, it was rebranded as the PEACE Community Center. This new iteration aimed to foster positive interactions between youth and law enforcement, providing a secure and enjoyable environment for recreational and educational activities.