THE FOLLOWING IS A CITY OF DANVILLE RELEASE
Danville, March 4, 2024-
The City of Danville and the Danville Police Department are taking on an exciting project called “Operation Friendly Town.” Friendly Town is a youth educational and training facility focused on pedestrian, bicycle, and cyber safety. Additional instruction at Friendly Town addresses bullying, building self-confidence and awareness of unsafe activities.
Friendly Town has served the youth of Danville and Vermilion County since 1970 providing education to thousands of our children. Renovations and restorations to Friendly Town, located in the Historic Lincoln Park, started earlier this year to include:
• New roof, siding, and interior updates to the main building
• Sidewalk repair/replacement
• Demolition and construction of new gas station
• Raising the tree canopy and pruning
• Repairs to buildings within Friendly Town
• New 6’ fence around the property
• Replacement of asphalt on all streets within Friendly Town
• Curb repair and paint
• Additional security lighting
• Removal of unkept shrubs and bushes
• Repair to working traffic lights and signals
In addition to these improvements, we are hoping to engage individuals, civic groups, neighborhood associations, and others to get involved by adopting and/or sponsoring a Friendly Town structure. There are nine structures including a School House, Police Department, Fire Department, Church, Flagpole, Farm, Gas Station, House, and CSX Rail Station.
Adopting a structure in Friendly Town involves cleaning up the structure, landscaping, and could even include a paint design if approved by the Chief of Police. Those who adopt a structure will be invited to kick off the work on May 4 & 5 from 9 AM – 3 PM each day. A yard sign will be placed in front of the building recognizing the adopting group. Additional dates will be scheduled and made available to continue the work once the adoptions are complete.
Sponsoring a structure in Friendly Town includes a one-time, $500 donation to cover the costs spent by the adopting groups to care for the structures. Individuals or organizations who sponsor a Friendly Town structure will also be recognized on a sign placed in front of the building they choose to sponsor.
This is an exciting opportunity for many people in our community to come together for a singular cause! On May 4 & 5 together, we will make a significant contribution to our community through improving Friendly Town. Will you join us?
To get involved as an adoptee or a sponsor, reach out to Chief of Police, Christopher Yates, at cyates@danvillepd.org or at (217) 431-2234.
