Comiskey Park

Re-Imagine Comiskey

Comiskey Park has been expanded from 3.6 acres to 5.7 acres and is being updated to meet current recreation demands

Construction Schedule

Due to funding, construction of the Comiskey Park improvements will be phased.

Phase 1 Improvements

Phase 1 includes a new playground, splash pad and a basketball court, walkway additions, seating walls, park amenities such as litter receptacles, bike racks, and picnic tables, one small and one larger shade picnic shelter, trees, landscaping, a bioswale, native seeding, and other improvements.

Phase 1 Progress in 2022

Work during the 2022 construction season included preliminary grading of the new basketball court and installing electrical conduit, lighting foundations, storm sewer, and sanitary sewer. Work in 2023 will continue as soon as the weather allows as temperatures consistently above freezing are necessary to continue the above ground work including sidewalks, the playground, and splash pad.

Phase 1 Schedule

Initiate Bidding - July 18, 2022
Publish Notice to Bidders - July 20, 2022
Notice of Hearing on Plans & Specifications - July 22, 2022
Public Hearing - August 1, 2022
Receipt of Bids - August 10, 2022
Award of Contract - August 15, 2022
Substantial Completion Date - May 11, 2023
Final Completion Date - May 25, 2023

Download Phase 1 Site Design

Community Engagement

In January 2020, the Leisure Services Department, in partnership with a consulting team, launched the Re-Imagine Comiskey campaign to gather input from the community on how to improve the park.

Multiple community engagement events were held to identify potential improvements including community input sessions, focus groups, and a music-infused Hip Hop PARKitecture workshop designed for children ages 10-17. At the workshop, attendees explored city park planning and urban design through Hip Hop culture and worked in small groups to create a design concept for Comiskey Park. Residents were also invited to share their ideas through the Re-imagine Comiskey online community survey. Paper surveys were made available at locations throughout the community including the Multicultural Family Center, Crescent Community Health Center, the Carnegie Stout Public Library, and others.

During the campaign, several stakeholder groups were engaged including the local neighborhood associations, the Dubuque Community School District, youth organizations, and non-profit community partners.

Engagement Results

The result of the community engagement sessions and survey indicated that residents felt the playground, basketball courts, and an open field for sports, lawn games, and recreation were important amenities to keep and upgrade at the park. Other desired amenities included a splash pad, picnic areas, grills, more seating, and pavilions that can be reserved by the community.

The Community's Vision

In early March 2020, the Leisure Services Department and the Re-Imagine Comiskey consulting team shared the vision the community developed for the expanded and improved Comiskey Park. The public was invited to review two draft concepts and provide comments, thoughts, and reactions to help shape the final park design.

Public Input: Community Online Survey

In May 2021, the City conducted an online survey to gather public input on playground and splash pad equipment. The City received 320 responses and will use the data to inform the types of equipment and activities that will be included in the final Comiskey Park playground and splash pad design.

Final Park Plan and Online Community Survey

The Leisure Services Department and the consulting team shared the park master plan in early 2021.

Re-Imagine Comiskey Park Master Plan

Download Master Plan Site Design

Funding

The City of Dubuque was awarded a $508,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program grant to expand outdoor recreational opportunities in the park. That grant will be matched with City of Dubuque capital improvement funding. The Wellmark Foundation awarded the project $100,000 as a part of Wellmark’s Large MATCH Grant Program, to be used toward the addition of a splash pad and expansion of basketball courts at the park and a $25,000 America In Bloom/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up grants for trees, native forbes, and grass seed, shrubs, and flowers.