In the fall of 1924, J. P. Donnelly, persuaded by the Mount Dora Woman's Club, agreed to sell to the City the land that became Annie Donnelly Park for $45,000. On October 12 of that year, the City accepted the property and authorized the issuance of coupon books to provide the necessary funding. Donnelly required that the park be named in honor of his deceased wife, Annie Donnelly. The concrete block in the entrance plaza inscribed “Annie Donnelly Park — 1925” is original. The Mount Dora Park Commission, an elected board, was charged with developing and maintaining the park, and its charter members were C. G. Edgerton, Mrs. Ruth Rehbaum, Josephine Simpson, John J. West, and Daniel H. Bishop. A band shell placed in the center of the property was the first improvement made to the park. In 1926 the Park Commission installed two shuffleboard courts at the southwest end of Donnelly Park and organized the first shuffleboard club in the City. In 1992, the City determined that the park needed renovation to enhance its features while maintaining its character. An extensive public opinion survey and numerous public workshops identified the primary needs as improving pedestrian access from downtown, creating a more usable building, and expanding spaces for outdoor performances. The plan for the park was approved by the Mount Dora City Council in 1998, and financial assistance was provided by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection through the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, the First National Bank Mount Dora Community Trust, and the Mount Dora Community Redevelopment Agency.