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NPS Form 10-900a OMBAppm[No1024 0018 • United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _7_ Page _7_ The Leeper Park zoo was removed from the Park in 1914. The banks of the St. Joseph were also improved that year with limestone blocks and rip -rap in conjunction with the construction of a new bridge. The Michigan Street bridge replaced the iron Leeper Bridge in 1915. In 1915 the Park drives were remodelled in the center section, to conform to the Kessler Plan for the Park. Additional plans by George Kessler refined drive relocations in the center section. In 1918 a stone wall along the eastern section riverbank was constructed, using cutstone from the Michigan Central Railroad right -of -way. The Kessler Plan also guided the development of active recreation facilities for Leeper Park. In 1915 tennis courts, baseball and football fields and a playground were developed in the western section of the Park. A 1500' toboggan run was also a feature of this portion of the park. In 1916 a circular, sunken garden was constructed in the eastern section, partially surrounded by a curving pergola (1918). The garden was planted in daylilies centered around a sundial. An additional formal garden area was developed in 1919, extending the axis of Main St. into the Park. The Kessler era improvements were completed in 1922 with the creation of 2 additional acres of parkland by • filling a shallow slough which separated a small island in the St. Joseph from the mainland of the Park. A 100'x 200' Rose Garden was created east of the Pumping Station in 1922, as well. George Kessler passed away in 1923; improvements to Leeper Park continued in the 1920's and 1930's. In 1924 the sunken garden was redesigned in the landfill area of the eastern section; 700 roses were planted. Works Projects Administration (WPA) funded labor for several projects in Leeper Park. In 1936, a retaining wall faced with scrap salvage concrete was constructed around the island and the channel of the slough was dredged. In 1938 a shelter house near the tennis courts was also built with WPA labor. The three well -house structures which now serve as eastern section restrooms, the Zeigler performing center, and a folly in the center section, were constructed c. 1930-40. The Zeigler center was dedicated in 1940. A Fragrance Garden was added to this area of the park in 1955. 0