Schmitt Island

Dubuque’s Gateway to Entertainment and the Mississippi.

Our Vision

A connected island that welcomes visitors and the community to recreation, entertainment and the outdoors.

To learn more about the Schmitt Island, download our Master Plan and Planned Urban Development (PUD) documents.

Master Plan PDF PUD PDF
Overall Island View

Overall Island View

Amphitheater

Amphitheater

McAleece Ballpark

McAleece Ballpark

Trail Connections and Signage

Trail Connections and Signage

Ice Center

Ice Center

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Our History

1948

Schmitt Island

Renamed Chaplain Schmitt Island in memory of Chaplain Aloysius Schmitt, the first Iowan and the first clergyman to die in WWII. It becomes the city’s catch-all for a great variety of uses and activities, including recreation, gaming, and remembrance.

1948

Landfill

Following the closure of the airport, the island is used as the city landfill until 1976.

1934

Airport

Constructed by the Civil Works Administration, City Island Airport begins operating on the island. It serves as a training ground for civilian pilots in preparation of World War II.

1933

City Island

The island is purchased by the City of Dubuque and renamed City Island. The Lake Peosta Channel is dredged to allow access for an industrial district.

1800’s

Ham’s Island

The island was originally known as Ham’s Island, named after local businessman & lead miner Mathias Ham.

Island objectives

Our 4 Main Objectives for Schmitt Island.

Schmitt Island River View.
  • Make the island part of a larger regional walking and biking trail system.
  • Make the island part of the larger river trail.
  • Connect walkable areas along riverfront, with special focus on new investment areas.

1

Connect the
Riverfront.

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Paddle boarding
  • Improve accessibility to the river’s edge.
  • Expand opportunities to get out on the river.
  • Allow access to special river habitats for education.

2

Put Your
Feet In.

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Children playing on the beach
  • Highlight special island characteristics that will make it a unique place to visit and stay.
  • Accept frequent flooding - plan for and with it.
  • Clean up the river for plants and animals.

3

Celebrate
the Island’s
“Islandness”.

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Spend your day and night - year round.
  • Bring new visitors to the island with new, complimentary development.
  • Interconnect existing and future uses so that visitors can spend more time on the island.
  • Consider activities and events for all seasons, so visitors can use the island all year-round.

4

Spend Your
Day & Night -
Year Round.

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Schmitt Island Logo

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