Public Input Sought for Eagle Point Park Restoration

DUBUQUE, Iowa – The City of Dubuque is seeking online public input for the environmental restoration planned to address severe erosion, invasive vegetation, and degraded natural habitats in 2019 at the historic, 164-acre Eagle Point Park.

The environmental restoration work planned for Eagle Point Park involves implementation of the park’s Environmental Restoration Management Plan, adopted by the Dubuque City Council in 2017.  The plan addresses the park’s recreational and natural spaces that suffer the effects of severe erosion, invasive vegetation, and degraded natural habitats on the rolling, rugged terrain. Implementation of that plan will commence using state and federal funds under the guidance of the City’s consulting team led by Emmons and Olivier Resources, Inc. All of this environmental work must be done within the context of the park’s rich cultural history.

The environmental restoration work involves design, engineering, permitting, and construction of low-impact development and green infrastructure best management practices for managing storm water to improve water quality. The restoration work is currently in the concept design phase and may include a variety of practices such as rain gardens, infiltration basins, permeable pavement, soil quality restoration, conversion of turf to native vegetation, and ravine stabilization measures. In combination, these green infrastructure best management practices provide an effective strategy for reducing overall runoff and erosion and improving water quality downstream in the watersheds of Bee Branch Creek and the Mississippi River. They also will provide new nature-based recreation opportunities for park visitors, create habitat for wildlife, and foster sustainability.

City staff and consultants continue to collect input from citizens about the planned work. To view the poster boards describing the issues at the park and the best management practices that are proposed to fix these issues, please visit www.cityofdubuque.org/eaglepointpark.  Public input can be provided by clicking on the appropriate link on the webpage.
 
Eagle Point Park is a community park that opened in 1909 on Dubuque’s northeast side. The park is owned by the City of Dubuque and managed by the City’s leisure services department’s park division. The park overlooks the Mississippi River, providing a spectacular view of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

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Please do not reply to this message.  If you would like additional information on this issue, please contact the staff person identified at the top of the message or contact the City of Dubuque Public Information Office at rgehl@cityofdubuque.org or 563.589.4151.