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NPS Form 10-900a OMBAppovaINo1024 <br />0018 <br />United States Department of the Interior <br />National Park Service <br />• National Register of Historic Places <br />Continuation Sheet <br />Section number _8_ Page _15_ <br />park), these areas still serve as locations for community gatherings. The western section of the park <br />was improved for the purposes of providing active recreation components for the Park. These <br />traditional uses remain, and even the construction of the modern -era community building does not <br />detract from this area of the park's historic function and visual appearance. The park retains its <br />historic feeling of a shaded respite, accented by the formal and active recreation features of the park <br />landscape. <br />In summary, Leeper Park retains its historic boundaries, setting, functions, basic landscape structure, <br />and associated feeling. The layout of the Park reflects the substantial implementation of a George <br />Kessler design, and the overall feeling or atmosphere of the park is consistent with historic <br />photographs or the site. The Park was not one where detailed landscape construction, structures and <br />features were of great importance. The details which have been lost are primarily plantings: shrub <br />massing, ornamental trees, and the several formal garden areas of the Park. These details are not <br />irrevocable losses. The pastoral landscape of trees and lawn, contrasted with formal entry treatments, <br />gardens, and site features associated with the Kessler plan for the Park, the curvilinear Drive which <br />. unites the park and connects it to its residential neighbors, and the continued visual and physical <br />connection to the St. Joseph River all reinforce the historic integrity of the Leeper Park landscape. <br />Finally the association of Leeper Park with the Michigan Street Bridge, and especially with the <br />National Register -listed North Pumping Station, its associated cistern and reservoir, wellhouses, <br />active water wells, etc. preserves the historic association of Leeper Park with the City's civic <br />development of its public works and waterworks facilities. This combination of public works as civic <br />monuments, and the provision of an interconnected system of parks and boulevards for the residents <br />of South Bend well -represents the City Beautiful Ideal as expressed in the work of George Kessler. <br />11 <br />