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be an effective protective device. However, the plague of SUV's and trucks driving over riverbanks to launch boats has become so pervasive that the city is experiencing a shortage of boulders. Maintenance Superintendent Mike Dyszkiewicz suggested that park benches anchored in concrete might do as well, and be easier to find. My initial understanding was the Parks Department had or could get such benches. Now it appears that we or some private donor would have to supply them, and then the Parks Department would install them. The South Bend Police Department recommends that any benches in city parks have arms, as that apparently discourages homeless folk from sleeping on them in preference to the homeless shelter. Staff recommends that the Commission do the following: 1. Approve the placement of park benches (of a style having backs and arms) at locations around the perimeter of the park, generally facing the river and and located both where the view is pleasant, and/or where they will discourage illegal truck traffic. 2. Approve the installation of whatever boulders may be available for placement at those areas the Park Department deems most severely threatened. The boulders should also be spaced seven feet apart. As part of the Edgewater Historic District Tree Planting that the Commission approved in February, three American elm trees are being donated for planting in this park. They are partly funded by the Elm Research Institute/ Van Buren Grant received for this project, and partly funded by donations from Gina DeLaruelle, in honor of her father, Tina Assimos, and Lynn Patrick. These trees can be approved as part of the general Certificate of Appropriateness that will accompany planting of the street trees for the project, or can be listed on this Certificate of Appropriateness for the benches or boulders. A brief discussion was held among commission members regarding the park benches that are to be installed in the park, and the following important points were discussed: 1. What style of park benches will be installed, and how the park benches will be installed. 2. Who will be in charge of installing, maintaining, and repairing the park? MARTHA CHOITZ: I think that my motion is that the matter be left at the discretion of the staff. KAREN HAMMOND-NASH request clarification: So in other words, if someone requests boulders, than I can staff approve it? And if someone decides to make a donation of the benches, than can I staff approve it, or should I bring it before the Standards and Maintenance Committee? Brief discussion occurred, and staff approval was authorized. MARY JANE CHASE: Seconds the motion and the motion carries unanimously. 7