Comiskey Park Ribbon-Cutting and Community Celebration on Thursday, June 29

June 27, 2023

On Thursday, June 29, the City of Dubuque will host an event to celebrate the grand re-opening of Comiskey Park. New park features include a splash pad, basketball court, playground equipment, walkways, seating, shaded picnic shelters, trees, and landscaping.

A short ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m. followed by a community celebration until 8 p.m. The 5:30 p.m. program will include remarks by City staff, elected officials, neighborhood representatives, and funding partners. The public is invited to come help cut the ribbon that will be strung around the splash pad and playground and be a part of officially opening the new amenities.

“The goal from day one of the Comiskey Park Project was to engage neighbors and the community,” said City of Dubuque Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware. “It was clear through the engagement process they wanted a splash pad, more opportunities for basketball, and a new playground. The input we received went directly into the design. This park is truly a reflection of the community.”

The Comiskey Park celebration will continue until 8 p.m. with music by DJ Nita Beat, performances by the Marshallese Women's Club and Turnt Kidz, and activities lead by the City’s recreation staff. Free food will be available until supplies last. The park, including the splash pad, will be open until 10 p.m.

The Comiskey Park parking lot is located along E. 24^th St. Additional parking options for the event include on-street and the Bee Branch Creek Greenway parking lot at the corner of E. 22^nd St. and Prince St. Due to limited parking, walking or biking to the event is encouraged. Temporary accessible parking spaces will be available on Jackson St. and E. 24^th St.

Comiskey Park serves the Washington and North End Neighborhoods and serves as a community park. The City purchased the adjacent 1.95-acre parcel for the Bee Branch Project which expanded the park from 3.6 acres to 5.7 acres. Before the recent renovations, the amenities were aging and not meeting current recreation demands. The expansion and improvements increase recreation access and enhance quality of life. Comiskey Park hours, including the splash pad, are 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily.

The $2.4 million Comiskey Park Phase 1 Redevelopment Project was supported by a $508,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program grant, a $100,000 Wellmark Foundation Large MATCH grant, and a $25,000 America In Bloom/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up grant.

In case of inclement weather, a rain date for the event has been set for Friday, June 30, from 5:30 – 8 p.m. For more information on the Re-Imagine Comiskey Park Master Plan, visit www.cityofdubuque.org/comiskeypark.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Marie Ware, Leisure Services Manager
563-589-4263, mware@cityofdubuque.org