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CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS STAFF REPORT • APPLTCATTON -- 1997-0901 PROPERTY -- Leeper Park South Bend, IN OWNER -- City of South Bend Parks Dept. DESIGNATION -- LL RATING -- Significant S/12 STATEMENT OF SIGNTFTCANCE/HISTORIC'CONTEXT In 1895 the City of South Bend purchased a large parcel of land on the east side of Michigan Street for the establishment of the Water Works who located and capped artesian wells there, thus, rendering the land usable for recreation. By 1.900 the area around the Water Works had become referred to as Leeper Park. The following year, extensive plans and site development were undertaken. The zoo and lily pond were constructed in 1902. In 1904 the log cabin was moved into the park from 123 West Northshore Drive. This building was rehabilitated and established as the "Pierre Navarre Cabin. In 1905 additional lands were acquired between Michigan and Lafayette Streets where they developed tennis courts. The following year acreage was added completing the west end of the park and a year after that the connecting wooden bridge was washed away and replaced with a new structure of iron and concrete. By this time the zoo located at the east end of the park boasted • 132 animals -of 50 varieties and the pond in -the middle section of the park was stocked with ducks and geese. In 1911, the Park Board engaged George Kessler of St. Louis for the development of master plan for the City's park—boulevard system. The present North Pumping Station and its reservoir were constructed in 1912. The present Michigan Street Bridge was constructed in 1915 as part of the Park—Boulevard plan proposed by George Kessler. During the Great Depression extensive work was done in the park funded by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) including the reconstruction of the retaining walls around the island which utilized salvage material from the earlier bridge. PROPOSED CHANGE, Applicant proposes to install two brick pillars with limestone or similar cap as a neighborhood entryway marker. They would be situated one on either side of Riverside Drive at the top of Leeper Park, east of 902 and 909 Riverside Drive just, within park property. STANDARDS The Preservation Guidelines for Local Landmarks state: C.2. Construction and Style All work should be done in the architectural style and in a technique compatible with the original. structure. Change that altars, removes, or covers existing significant stylistic detail shall not be permitted. A change which adds detail of another style will not be permitted. C.3. Materials Additions and improvements involving any new material in the landmark should • be of the same material as•the original. An alternative material may be allowed if it duplicates the original. Building Site.and Landscaping