October 2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF' APPROPRIATENESS Date: 5 October 2015 Application Number: 20154002 Property Location: Leeper Park East Architectural Style/Date/Architect 6.r Builder: George Kessler Property Owner: City of South Bend Landmark or District Designation: National Register Historic Designed Landscape Landmark Rating: Local Landmark DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE:, Leeper Park is a designed landscape located north of the commercial and 'medical district of South Bend and divided by Michigan Street (US 33). Leeper Park East is bordered by Riverside Drive along the St. Joseph River, the River and Bartlett Street to the South and Michigan Street to the West. It is part of the 191.1-1915 Parks and . Boulevard system designed by George Kessler. Its function as a recreational Park is secondary to its practical function as a drinking water well field dominated by the North Pump ' * ing Station which is a local landmark, the Reservoir and numerous wells located through out the area. The Sunken Garden at the northern end of the Park was rehabilitated in 2009 with now rose plants and gravel walkways and has been restored and maintained in 2015 by an all -volunteer group.. The recreational area of the Park behind the North Pumping Station include the Zeigler performing center with fixed bench seating, signage for the Garden of Fragrance, the Navarre Cabin, Comfort Station, and a swing set and slide. ALTERATIONS: The water feature, fountain' and statuary of the Sunken Garden were removed in the 1960s. The wading pool has been filled in and the pergola removed around the 1970s. The more formal gardens of lilies, roses, gladiolas and peony beds no longer exist. The Garden of Fragrance (originated, in 1954 and expanded over the years) that meandered from Michigan Street to the Herb Garden by the Navarre Cabin no longer exists, only the sighage remains. The lift station was moved to the north side of the pumping station with new landscaping, plantings, sidewalks, and rehabilitated Braille marker with COA 2011-1103A. APPLICATION ITEMS: Refer to attached narrative and drawings. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT:, The volunteer group Resurrect the Roses at Leeper Park has applied for and will be directing, financing and executing this project. Within an existing concrete curb (that will remain), the landscaping bed will be enhanced to mimic the reflecting pool formerly within its boundary. New flower beds will be defined. using new soil, compost and plantings. A walkway of crushed limestone will pass through *the beds. Additional half circle beds will be added to the north and south of the concrete curb. The "three -fates" statues will be repaired pro-bono by a local artist, and then placed into the center of the "pool" bed, where they were originally, in the same back -to -back -to, back style; and the one remaining "chemb"will be nearby, on a footing. That "cherub" will be duplicated from the original, and the new statue also placed nearby in the "pool" bed, per the attached drawing. STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: Leeper Park Standards and Criteria 9.2 SDatial a zation(Incl. Views,. Vias, Lan.ds,cam SDaces. etc.):, 2. All viewsvistas, landscape spaces located in the eastern section and central section of Leeper Park shall be preserved. 3. Original or later contributing special organizational features shall be retained in their existing configuration and shall be maintained through proper drain . age, access and erosion control, pruning and