City of Dubuque Awarded Nearly $2 Million for Continued Improvements to Comiskey Park 

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

The City of Dubuque will receive $1.974 million in federal funding for a second phase of improvements to Comiskey Park, 255 E. 24th St. The grant award was announced today by the National Park Service through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) project. In total, more than 50 projects nationwide will share more than $254 million. 

The improvements at Comiskey Park represent the second phase of the Re-Imagine Comiskey campaign that was launched in early 2020. Second phase improvements are expected to include: 

• Construction of two full-size basketball courts, 
• Development of shaded picnic areas, 
• Replacement of an older basketball court, skate spot, and tennis court with a multi-use playing field, 
• Building trails throughout the park, 
• Establishment of a new park entryway, 
• Creation of a 53-stall parking lot,  
• Additional landscaping including trees and native plantings. 

The City anticipates the second phase improvements will be completed within 1.5 years. Final designs are expected to be submitted in December 2024. Construction would begin in August 2026, with the project completed in July 2027. 

“We’re excited to be included in what is the largest ever grant investment from the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership,” says Park Division Manager Steve Fehsal. “We’re thankful for the letters of support for the project that were submitted by our federal representatives, including Senators Charles Grassley and Joni Ernst and Congresswoman Ashley Hinson. We also applaud the Biden administration for creating this funding opportunity.” 

The initial phase of the Re-Imagine Comiskey improvements were completed and opened to the public in June 2023. The project’s highlights were a new playground, splash pad, and basketball court. Additional amenities included walkway additions, seating walls, bike racks, and picnic tables. Phase one upgrades were funded in part by a $508,000 ORLP grant, along with Community Development Block Grants and contributions from Wellmark and America In Bloom. 

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MEDIA CONTACT
Stephen Fehsal, Park Division Manager
SFehsal@cityofdubuque.org, 563.589.4260