ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF REPORT 11.1
TO: Mayor and Town Council July 21, 2026
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 67-2026, renaming Front Street Park as Eugene O’Neill Park
BACKGROUND
When the Town incorporated in 1982, the Town acquired title to all county parks located within the Town’ s new boundaries. One of those parks was Front Street Park, a small parcel on the west side of Front Street across from what is now the Danville Library and Community Center. Until 2004, the park had a few picnic benches and no other amenities.
In that year, the Eugene O’Neill approached the Town to ask permission to construct and install a commemoration of Eugene O’Neill. The commemoration features a structural veil” which contains a quote from O’Neill’ s play Long Days Journey Into Night as well as eight pedestals designed to appear as playbills, all containing additional information regarding O’Neill. The Town Council formally approved the installation in June of 2005 and it was installed the following year.
DISCUSSION
The Town and the O’Neill Foundation have worked together not only on the commemoration but also on expanding the annual O’Neill Festival to include New Ross, Ireland. With this in mind, Town staff noted that while many of those involved with the Foundation informally refer to Front Street Park as O’Neill Park, the name has never been changed. At the Town Council’ s June 9, 2026, study session, the Council asked staff to bring forward an item to consider remaining the park, which tonight’ s resolution would do. After the study session, Town staff also reached out to the contractor who makes our heritage resource plaques and ordered a bronze sign for the park (photo simulation attached). Town staff will coordinate a formal renaming ceremony for September when the representatives from New Ross are in Town for the Festival.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Posting of the meeting agenda serves as notice to the general public.
FISCAL IMPACT
None aside from the cost of the new park sign.
Renaming Front Street Park 2 July 21, 2026
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution No. 67-2026, renaming Front Street Park as Eugene O’Neill Park.
Prepared by:
Robert B. Ewing
City Attorney
Attachments: A - Resolution No. 67-2026
B - Photo of new park sign
RESOLUTION NO. 67-2026
RENAMING FRONT STREET PARK AS EUGENE O’NEILL PARK
WHEREAS, Front Street Park has been owned by the Town of Danville since the Town’ s incorporation in 1982; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, the Town approved an agreement whereby the Eugene O’Neill Foundation installed a commemoration to O’Neill located in Front Street Park; and WHEREAS, with the installation of this beautiful set of pedestals and a “ veil” sculpture providing history and context for O’Neill’s works and his time living in Danville, the park has come to be informally referred to as O’Neill Park by many in the community; and
WHEREAS, given the significance of O’Neill as a writer, his time in Danville and the presence of the commemoration in a Town park, it would be appropriate to rename the park after him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Danville Town Council approves renaming Front Street Park as Eugene O’Neill Park.
APPROVED by the Danville Town Council at a regular meeting on July 21, 2026 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAINED:
ABSENT:
MAYOR
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST:
CITY ATTORNEY ACTING CITY CLERK
Docusign Envelope ID: C28DEEE5- 7C3F-858A-8190- 14612FECB106
ATTACHMENT A
ATTACHMENT B