Dubuque County Conservation Society_Maus Park RestorationJune 11, 2013
Dubuque City Council
50 W. 13th St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
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"Organized in 1933 for Protection of Soil, Forests, Waters and Wildlife”
P.O. Box 645
Dubuque, IA 52004 -0645
Honorable Mayor Buol and City Council Members:
The Dubuque County Conservation Society would like to address the council to request that restoration
of Maus Park be incorporated in the Southport project. It was a recreation area before the city began to
use it as a retention basin causing it to fill with debris and becoming overgrown.
In the 1960's era the Dubuque County Conservation Society cleaned up the area and held fisheries for
several years before the fish were killed by a sewage overflow. Members of the Society would like to see
it put back into good use and recommend that it be done in conjunction with the Southport project.
When it was in existence, Central High School students adopted the park, also cleaned it up and erected
a sign which included some history on the park which served as saw mills and a shanty town.
Several years ago, Tom Boland, DNR Fisheries Biologist, who is now retired, recommended that rather
than dredging the whole area a channel be dredged to keep the water from freezing to the bottom so
fish could survive. In order to avoid the cost of trucking, the dredge spoils could be used as nesting
islands for waterfowl and shore birds.
Since there wouldn't be a strong current as on the shores of the river, it would be a safe place for
children to play and families to fish as well as serve as a pleasant picnic area. It could also serve as a
handicap accessible area.
Board member, Paul Kaufman will be on hand to represent the Society.
Sincerely,
Connie Kintzle, President
Dubuque County Conservation Society
2409 Queen St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
Work: 563.557.3416 (Direct) Hours: 7:OOam — 3:00pm
Home: 563.583.3907 Hours: evening
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