Dankwardt Park
Rate this placeNearby: Crapo Park Longmeadow Park
Last Updated: December 4, 2025
Dankwardt Park is a beautiful and well-maintained park located in the city of Burlington, Iowa.
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Summary
The park offers multiple activities for visitors of all ages, making it a popular spot for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
One of the main attractions of Dankwardt Park is the Burlington Aquatic Center, which features a large pool, water slides, and a lazy river for visitors to enjoy. The park also has several playgrounds, picnic areas, and sports fields, including tennis and basketball courts.
Another notable feature of Dankwardt Park is its nature trail, which meanders through the park and provides a peaceful setting for a leisurely walk or jog. The park also has a lake where visitors can fish or rent paddle boats.
One interesting fact about Dankwardt Park is that it was established in 1908 and named after John E. Dankwardt, a prominent citizen of Burlington who donated the land for the park. The park has since undergone several renovations and improvements to maintain its beauty and functionality.
The best time of year to visit Dankwardt Park is during the summer months when the Aquatic Center and other outdoor activities are open. However, the park also offers scenic views and enjoyable activities during the fall and spring seasons.
Overall, Dankwardt Park is a must-visit destination in Iowa, offering a variety of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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Upper Augusta Skunk River Access
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Crapo Park
Longmeadow Park
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Welter County Park
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