Eagle Point Park (Dubuque, Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eagle Point Park |
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View of the Mississippi River
from Eagle Point Park |
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| Type | Public park |
| Location | Dubuque, Iowa |
| Area | 164 acres (0.66 km2) |
| Created | May 1909 |
| Operated by | City of Dubuque |
| Open | May to October |
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Eagle Point Park Historic District
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Bridge Complex (1935)
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Architect | Charles Mulford Robinson Charles Nassau Lowrie Alfred Caldwell, et al. |
| Architectural style | Prairie School |
| NRHP reference No. | 100001834 |
| Added to NRHP | November 27, 2017 |
Eagle Point Park is a large public park in Dubuque, Iowa, United States. It covers about 164 acres (0.66 square kilometers). The park sits on a high bluff, giving amazing views of the Mississippi River and the Lock and Dam No. 11. The city of Dubuque owns and runs this park. In 2017, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places because of its important history and unique buildings.
Contents
Park History
How Eagle Point Park Began
The idea for Eagle Point Park came from Charles Mulford Robinson. He wrote a report about how to improve the city of Dubuque. A group of people, led by Judge Oliver Perry Shiras, then bought the land in 1908. The park officially opened its gates in May 1909.
Building During the Great Depression
During the Great Depression (a time when many people were out of work), the park got bigger and was improved. This happened as part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) program. The WPA was a government program that helped people find jobs by building public projects.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited the park. He was very impressed and said it was a "worthwhile boondoggle." This meant he thought it was a great project, even if it seemed like a lot of work.
Special Buildings and Features
An architect named Alfred Caldwell helped design many of the park's buildings. He used limestone found right in the area. These buildings include pavilions (shelters), the fish pond, and a bandshell for concerts. A large statue of an eagle was also placed near the park's entrance.
Years ago, the city had a bus service that went to the park. A special shelter was built for bus passengers. Today, this shelter is used as an information center for visitors.
Fun Things to Do
Enjoying the Views
The Riverwalk is a path along the edge of the bluff. From here, you can see fantastic views of the Mississippi River. You can also see the Lock and Dam, parts of Dubuque, and even Grant County, Wisconsin. It's a great spot for photos!
Activities and Entertainment
Eagle Point Park offers many fun activities. You can play on the tennis courts or try your hand at horseshoe pits. There's also playground equipment for younger kids. The bandshell hosts free music concerts, which are perfect for a relaxing afternoon. There's even a small wading pool for young children to cool off in.
Park Access and Fees
The park charges a small fee to enter by car, which is usually one dollar. Buses have a five-dollar fee. If you walk into the park, there is no charge at all.
The park is open from May 1st to October 31st each year. During the colder months, from November to April, the park is closed to cars. However, you can still park near the back entrance and walk into the park to enjoy the quiet beauty.
