For many years, it was known as the Dinosaur Park, along Libby Avenue in Escalon.
This past weekend, it got a new name: Danny Fox Memorial Park, as it was dedicated in memory of longtime local resident, the late Danny Fox. He passed away in November of 2025 and the formal dedication of the park and unveiling of the plaque placed there in his honor was done in a ceremony on Sunday afternoon., Oct. 4.
Many family members, former colleagues and friends filled the chairs set up in the park while others stood on the grass to hear welcoming remarks from Mayor Andy Hagan, along with some thoughts from council member Shawn Strohman, and Fox’s longtime partner, Peggy Rocha.
“Devoted public servant who dedicated his life to serving others as a police lieutenant, barber, city council member, and mayor,” the plaque reads. “His unwavering commitment and genuine care for others left an enduring impact on his family, friends, and community.”
Fox, who passed at age 78, was born in Missouri and lived in Idaho before his family settled in California. He graduated from high school in Lodi and went to barber college, opening a shop in Escalon.
He moved in to a second career as a police officer and worked in both Manteca and Tracy before joining the Escalon Police Department, where he achieved the rank of lieutenant.
He also made an impact in the community by serving on the Escalon City Council after retirement, first as a councilman and then as mayor, spending a total of 12 years on the council.
“We’re here today to honor Danny Fox; he was a big part of our community,” Mayor Hagan said in welcoming the crowd, adding that there is plenty of inspiration to gain from the way Fox lived his life, always looking to “be the solution” when discovering a problem. “Just seeing the number of people that will come out at two o’clock on a Sunday tells you how much he really meant to the community.”
Offering some thoughts of his own, council member Shawn Strohman told the crowd that proposing the dedication of the park in Fox’s honor was one of the best things he has done during his time on the council.
“I stand here today in my favorite role and my favorite role is, I was a friend of Danny Fox’s,” Strohman shared. “Danny was a friend; he was a mentor … we could probably go on for hours and talk about what Danny Fox meant to each one of us. The things that were most important to Danny were his family, Notre Dame football and our community.”
Describing the loss of Fox as one felt deeply by many, Strohman said he still feels his presence.
“The good news is Danny’s spirit sill lives with us, every single day,” Strohman said, adding that Fox planted trees in the Dinosaur Park and made sure they were well maintained, and also devoted time in the park to help keep it in good shape for neighborhood kids to enjoy.
Noting that both he and Fox are Notre Dame fans, Strohman wore his Notre Dame shirt to the event and there were also Irish good luck charms for all to take home in addition to some specially designed and decorated Fox cookies as part of the refreshments.
There was also a third tree, just planted, with those attending the ceremony urged to add a shovel full of dirt to help finish planting the tree in Fox’s honor.
Handling the official unveiling of the plaque were Mayor Hagan, Escalon Public Works Superintendent Juston Collins, Peggy Rocha, and Councilman Strohman.
“This little park was really a labor of love and care for Danny over many years,” Rocha told attendees.
She explained that he planted the two existing trees at the park with his grandkids, in part to leave a lasting legacy for them, as well as enjoying the act of planting them. She also detailed his “ongoing battle with the gophers” as he worked to keep them out of the park.
“His love for this community was really boundless, as most of you know, whether it was lending a hand or simply offering a kind word,” Rocha shared. “His spirit will live on in the shade of these trees he planted and also in the kindness that we can all continue to share with each other.”
She went on to thank the City of Escalon for its assistance in bringing the park dedication to fruition, along with the support of Hagan, Strohman and Mayor Pro Tem Malinda Walker.
“I think this park will really be a lasting tribute to Danny’s legacy. It’s a place where his memory will always be cherished,” Rocha said. “Let’s have this park continue to bring joy and connection to our community for years to come and every time you visit the park or maybe even just drive by, hopefully you can be reminded of Danny’s beautiful spirit.”
