October 2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• • 0 CITY OF SOUTH BEND VENUES PARKS 6 ARTS Eli A NOTE FROM VENUES PARKS & ARTS ON LEEPER PARK DUCK POND As you're likely aware, the City of South Bend's Venues Parks & Arts Department has been leading a several month process to reimagine and upgrade our riverfront parks and trails, alongside an aggressive plan to upgrade many neighborhood parks and community centers. This will set a new standard in excellence and accessibility for some of our city's most valuable resources. It's an exciting time for the park system and the community is showing extremely broad support for these long -overdue upgrades. Despite the overwhelming enthusiasm to invest in our city's natural spaces, the conversation has recently shifted to focus on one very specific topic, the Leeper Park Duck Pond. A recently released concept for Leeper Park involves transforming the duck pond into an area that will house the historic Studebaker Fountain once it's restored. These decisions are not mutually exclusive of one another, but they do seem to complement one another. This latest concept also involves installing three decks along an enhanced Leeper Riverwalk to overlook the river, creating space for observing wildlife in its natural habitat. No ducks This latest concept also involves installing three decks along an enhanced Leeper Riverwalk to overlook the river, creating space for observing wildlife in its natural habitat. No ducks or geese are harmed, but returned to their native areas. or geese are harmed, but returned to their native areas. Additionally, a regional waterfowl rehabilitator will be on hand to ensure successful transitions, which may also include adoption of some the domesticated animals. This park upgrade solves a major issue that cities across the country are struggling with. Numerous studies show that duck ponds aren't healthy for the wildlife nor the environment. This isn't a case of maintenance neglect nor a need for a cleaning regiment. Overcrowding, disease, landscape degradation, hybridization, water pollution, and other issues prevail. Organizations such as zoos and aquariums have had to adjust how they think and treat animals through the years; parks systems are no different. As a community, we must do better in our responsibility of stewardship for the local wildlife. We recognize that residents love the duck pond because of the experiences they have created there. We understand the value of having a place where families make memories and share rituals with children and grandchildren over the years. We appreciate how people enjoy watching the changing seasons and sharing in the growing of the ducklings and goslings. We don't want to take any of that away. We are striving to create upgraded place -making for those kinds of experiences. Our plans endeavor to allow people to experience all those connections to nature and more - in a safer, healthier, more natural environment for the community and for the birds. Additionally, we'll continue to be in consultation with the DNR, water and soil experts, zoologists, our Ecological Advocacy Committee, the Audubon society, the Historic Preservation Committee, environmentalists, and waterfowl experts. We are still several months away from a decision point in this matter and would like to stress that there is no urgency here. We look forward to working together as a community to take care of our native animals, our natural resources, our shared spaces and shared history.