Eagle Point Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eagle Point Park is a public park located in Dubuque, Iowa. The 146 acre park is located in the northeast corner of the city. Eagle Point is mostly situated on a bluff that overlooks the Mississippi River and the Dubuque Lock and Dam. The park is owned and operated by the city of Dubuque, Iowa.
The property on which Eagle Point is located was accquired by the city in 1908 due to a donation by a local judge. The park was opened in 1909. During the Great Depression, as part of the Works Progress Administration program the park was expanded and renovated. Architect Alfred Caldwell directed the building of many of the structures at the park, which made a large amount of use of the limestone found in the area. These included the pavilions, the fish pond, the areas around the fish pond, and a bandshell for public concerts. A large statue of an eagle was placed near the entrance to the park. At one time the city offered regular bus service to and from the park, and a shelter was built for bus passengers. Today that shelter is used as an information center.
The park is one of the more popular parks in the city. The Riverwalk - which is situated along the edge of the bluff - offers views of the Mississippi, the Lock and Dam, the city of Dubuque, and Grant County, Wisconsin. In addition to its other features, Eagle Point offers tennis courts, horseshoe pits, playground equipment, a band shell with free music concerts, and a small wading pool for young children. The park charges a one dollar admission fee for automobiles, and a five dollar fee for buses to enter the park. There is no fee for pedestrians. The park's season goes from May 1st to October 31st. During the off season the park is closed to vehicle traffic, but people can park near Eagle Point's rear entrance and walk into the park.
