One of Dubuque's most popular parks is expanding. For the first time since 1937, the city will annex land adjacent to Eagle Point Park, after a donation from a Dubuque family.
Marie Ware, Leisure Services Manager, says Jeffrey Davis donated the 11.5 acres in honor of his late father-in-law, Wayne Anthony, a lover of wildlife and an outdoor sportsman.
"In 1908, a citizens committee getting together saying, 'we need to do something to be able to preserve this area.' And slow, but sure, they bought pieces of property in order to add to that, to come up with all the land that we have today."
Ware says the city plans to create a plaque to honor Anthony, but nothing has been decided on what will be done with the annexed land.
"So, the first thing is to do some of the foundational, historical, and cultural studies of that area before we start to talk about exactly what we'll do. It does seem like a perfect piece of property to to be able to look at some walking trails. But, obviously, we want to do that foundational work first."
The park features over 175 acres with views of the Mississippi River, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.