Eagle Point Park

Proposed the city discontinue the 'Masterpiece on the Mississippi' slogan until parks, roadways, and city property are restored to their former condition; offered to give council members a tour.

Asked the council to return Eagle Point Park to its former beauty and make its upkeep a priority again, saying the city's focus has shifted to new things over maintenance.

Left a copy of the 365 travel magazine featuring Eagle Point Park and said the park should be a budget priority.

Described taking his six-year-old son to the park and the boy asking to leave; asked why a local tree service under contract with the city wasn't doing the view-clearing work.

Called the park 'unkept' and called the tennis courts dangerous; questioned how the other ~50 city parks are being managed if this is the crown of the system.

Called the park mission-critical, asked the budget be reorganized to fund it, and proposed a property tax exemption for volunteers who maintain neighborhood parks.

Said 'you become what you tolerate,' arguing the condition of parks and medians sets a precedent for how the whole community treats its property.

Asked the city to pause new park projects (like the planned aquatics facility) until Eagle Point is fixed, and to post skilled construction jobs for local residents.

Citing Rob McDonald's videos, called the park's condition an embarrassment and asked whether the millions already allocated will actually happen — 'is it going to happen, or is it rhetoric?'

Questioned spending on a parking-lot-to-pocket-park conversion and suggested redirecting that money to Eagle Point Park.

A returning Dubuque native, he thanked the council for listening and urged them to use their leadership positions to act on the park.

During the hotel hearing he asked why a 50-year lease; during public input he asked that Eagle Point Park be a top 2027 budget priority and criticized the park entrance landscaping.

Submitted written input on Eagle Point Park concerns, read into the record by the city clerk.

Demanded the council make Eagle Point Park a goal-setting priority, saying a decade of band-aid maintenance isn't enough for the historic park.

Said out-of-town family were 'shocked' by the park's condition and criticized the council for giving Eagle Point 'breadcrumbs' while spending on Comiskey Park and downtown.

Said out-of-town union colleagues were surprised by how much the park needs repair, and noted his group now picnics at cleaner Swiss Valley instead.