Recreation director highlights public art'Acorns, concert moves and expanded youth and senior programming

Jessica Wallner, director of Recreation, Arts and Community Services for Danville, gave her first formal department update on Jan. 13, summarizing cultural arts, events, sports and youth programming.

Wallner described new public-art installations called the "Acorns of the Old Oak," nine of 10 acorns placed downtown, plus a pending unveiling at the Clock Tower parking lot. She described a town contest to name the acorns (contest open through Jan. 31 on the town website) and programming steps that will follow the naming (a coloring book and children's storybook). Wallner also recapped the Village Theater rentals and performances and previewed a March partnership to stage Alfred Hitchcock's "39 Steps."

On events, Wallner said Music in the Park and the Moonlight Movie series drew strong participation; the department is shifting all concerts to the Town Green and plans to use counts and visual methods to estimate attendance. She explained how performers are recruited (performer interest form and partnerships with Promoter firms) and invited local performers to apply.

Wallner reported participation and staffing numbers: about 2,85 picnic rentals, 71 tennis-court rentals, 133 indoor facility rentals from July to December 2025; hiring of 68 lifeguards and swim instructors for aquatics with just under 1,900 participants; approximately 3,600 summer camp participants and 65 camp counselors. She noted the senior meal program serves up to 80 participants per week and that adults and seniors programs logged 2,262 volunteer hours since July.

Council praised the report and asked operational questions about performer selection and attendance measurement; Wallner provided steps for performers and explained counting and observational methods for estimating crowd size. No formal council action was taken on recreation items at the meeting.