Dubuque Commission Seeks Input on Pets in Parks Ordinance 

FEBRUARY 17, 2025

The City of Dubuque Parks and Recreation Commission is welcoming public input as it reviews a city ordinance that allows dogs and cats in some city parks. Input will be accepted at a public meeting on March 11 and can also be provided online until March 3. 

Residents are invited to provide in-person input at the next parks and recreation commission meeting on Tuesday, March 11, at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chambers on the second floor of the Historic Federal Building, 350 W. Sixth Street. Residents can also provide input through an online form at www.cityofdubuque.org/petsinparks until 11:59 p.m. Monday, March 3. 

The ordinance was last updated in 2020 when it was modified to permit leashed dogs and cats in most Dubuque parks, parkways, trails, and open spaces. The current ordinance prohibits dogs and cats from: 

• Bunker Hill Golf Course, 
• Eagle Point Park, 
• Flora Park Swimming Pool, 
• Marshall Park and Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, 
• Murphy Park, 
• Nicholas J. Sutton Swimming Pool,   
• Veterans Memorial Plaza within the Gerald “Red” McAleece Park and Recreation Complex, 
• buildings or facilities within parks which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, 
• fenced-in sporting areas, including, but not limited to, courts, fields, rinks, arenas, and skate parks, and 
• on playground and recreational areas designed for use by children. 

As directed by the Dubuque City Council, the parks and recreation commission is reviewing the current ordinance. Any recommended modifications to the ordinance would then be considered by the city council. 

For additional information, or to view the current ordinance, visit www.cityofdubuque.org/petsinparks. To request a paper copy of the input form, please call 563.589.4263. 

# # #

MEDIA CONTACT
Stephen Fehsal, Parks Division Manager
sfehsal@cityofdubuque.org, 563.589.4260