Union Park Garden
With the Dubuque Arboretum's close proximity to the Union Park property, we're honored to be able to display some of the memorabilia related to this wonderful early 20th-century entertainment venue for Dubuque residents.
circa early 1900s
Statue of children under umbrella at Union Park
These photographs show this lovely statue as it originally stood in Union Park itself in front of the Pavilion before a devastating flash flood in 1919.
Thank you, John, Alice, Andy, and Debi Butler, for your amazing generosity to the Dubuque community: continuing the legacy of Union Park for our children, an area dedicated to family, fun, play, and exploration!
Executive Director Jenna Hirtz (of the Dubuque Arboretum): "... the children’s garden will be a valuable addition to the arboretum’s trove of nature-based attractions. It will enrich the lives of so many young folks in the community. It’s going to encourage them to get out and be imaginative and have some fun in the fresh outdoors."
Butler family (John, Alice, Andy, Debi Butler) to construct, donate 19-acre children's area to Dubuque arboretum
The children's area will be located on a 19-acre parcel directly north of the arboretum that is currently part of the YMCA Union Park Day Camp property. [See parcel approximation (shaded area) below.]
August 18, 2022 / Telegraph-Herald excerpt:
The future garden will feature a variety of climbable structures and activities for children and families of all ages, including interactive water features, walking paths and interactive villages.
Entirely funded by one of the founding families of Cottingham & Butler, the intention is to donate the completed children’s garden activity center to the arboretum once construction is completed in about two years.
--DEBI BUTLER