12-13-2011 South Bend Park Department Recognized as Best in State

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Chronological History of the South Bend Parks & Recreation Department 1879 Ordinance passed to establish Howard Park as South Bend's first park. 1891 City Council creates first Board of Park Commissioners. 1901 South Bend Board of Park Commissioners abolished by special legislature,put under of Board of Public Works. 1902 Leeper Park Is established as South Bend's second park. 1905 Potawatomi Park is established. 1910 Legislature changes,changing authority of parks to the Board of Park Commissioners. 1910 Herman Byer,appointed as first Park Superintendent. 1912 George Kessler develops boulevard system to connect city parks. 1912 A.E.Perly appointed Park Superintendent. 1916 Rum Village Park was acquired for$45,000.00. 1918 South Bend Board of Park Commissioners acquired Pinhook property from County Commissioners. 1920 Potawatomi Park used as a zoo. 1920 Studebaker golf course opens as South Bend's first municipal golf course. 1922 South Bend's first pool,the Harry Engman Natatorium opened in July. 1924 Ordinance passes to build South Bend's first and only Greenhouse. 1925 The Albert Erskine golf course opens. 1937 Richard Elbel retired after serving 28 years on the South Bend Board of Park Commissioners. 1938 Paul Hayes appointed Park Superintendent. 1939 Howard Park administrative building is completed as part to the W.P.A.program. 1941 Pierre Navarre Park opens at the location of the present day O'Brien Park. 1944 Lysly McNabb appointed Park Superintendent. 1950 Kelly Park established. 1951 Veterans Memorial Park established. 1954 Keller Park established. 1954 Bendix baseball park completed,it is now called Kennedy Park. 1954 Sorin park established. 1954 First comprehensive park master plan developed. 1955 South Bend Community School Corp. and the Park Department Recreation Commission, 1955 Paul Boehm named first Recreation Director. 1956 Potawatomi Pool built for$153,000.00 and Bendix Pool built for$190,000.00 and opened in June. 1956 Potawatomi Band Shell built for$23,000.00 and Studebaker Proshop for$42,000.00. 1957 Rum Village shelter house completed. 1957 Storyland Zoo opens at Rum Village. The children train begins operation in Rum Village park.