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because of its status as an included asset within the National Register listed Leeper Park. As a condition of the funding, the
<br />state maintained an internal and external easement on the structure from 2005 until its expiration in 2015.
<br />National Register listing is often the key to unlocking the few funding opportunities that are available related to Historic
<br />Preservation efforts. Moving the structure from Leeper Park will nullify the existing status (see Title 36: Parks, Forest, and
<br />Public Property, Part 60—National Register of Historic Places, §60.14 'Changes and revisions to properties listed in the
<br />National Register'), as well as potentially preclude the structure's future eligibility for re -inclusion in the National Register of
<br />Historic Places. The structure's new location is within the West Washington National Register District. Were the structure to
<br />be moved to this new location, the structure would not be a contributing resource in the West Washington National Register
<br />District. The loss of this status will negate future opportunities for rehabilitation grants to preserve the structure long term.
<br />Without those grant opportunities, long term maintenance of the structure will fall exclusively to the owner.
<br />The History Museum's argument is that moving the cabin will lead to greater utilization and more engagement with the
<br />structure. The History Museum currently uses the structure for "Cabin Days", a three-day long school event that happens
<br />annually. The History Museum has stated that amenities (bathrooms / comfort stations, storage facilities) are not available at
<br />the site in its current configuration, and that moving the structure to The History Museum campus would provide those
<br />amenities. The History Museum further states that they feel the structure will be more secure on their campus. It is unknown if
<br />The History Museum had any dialogue with Venues, Parks & Arts to seek greater utilization of existing parks facilities.
<br />STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES:
<br />9.0 LANDSCAPES – STANDARDS AND CRITERIA FOR LEEPER PARK
<br />9.1 Introduction
<br />1. In these guidelines the verb Should indicates a recommended course of action; the verb Shall indicates those
<br />actions which are specifically required to preserve and protect significant architectural elements.
<br />2. The intent of these standards and criteria is to preserve the overall character and appearance of Leeper Park including
<br />its spatial organization, topography, vegetation, circulation and features.
<br />3. The standards and criteria acknowledge that there will be changes to the landscape and are intended to make the
<br />change sensitive to the historic character of the landscape.
<br />4. Each property will be separately studied to determine if a later addition(s) and/or alteration(s) can, or should, be
<br />removed.
<br />5. Since it is not possible to provide one general guideline, the following factors that will be considered in
<br />determining whether a later addition(s) and/or alteration(s) can, or should, be removed include:
<br />a. Compatibility with the original property's integrity in scale, materials, and character.
<br />b. Historic association with the property.
<br />c. Quality in design and execution of the addition/alteration.
<br />d. Functional usefulness.
<br />6. Recreational facilities which exist should be allowed to remain as long as they serve substantial community functions.
<br />In some cases these features can be redesigned to be more compatible with the overall landscape.
<br />7. Additions to existing recreational facilities shall not be allowed unless such additions make the facilities more
<br />compatible with the overall landscape.
<br />8. The development of additional facilities for active recreation or single purpose uses for limited user groups shall not
<br />be allowed.
<br />9. Proposals for special activities and events which cause significant impacts or require permanent or even semi-
<br />permanent (seasonal) structures or facilities shall not be permitted.
<br />10. The Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County recommends that the work proposed to
<br />the landscape be executed with the guidance of landscape professional with expertise with historic landscapes.
<br />11. The land, streets, island(s), street lighting, park lighting, topography, vistas, vegetation, architectural elements,
<br />structures, spatial organization, street furniture, sewer covers, electrical and water vault and/or manholes covers,
<br />parking areas are subject to the terms of the landscape guidelines herein stated.
<br />12. Items under Historic Preservation review include but are not limited to the following:
<br />9.2 Spatial Organization (includes, Views, Vistas, Landscape Spaces, etc.)
<br />Refer to Sections 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7 and 9.8 for additional Standards and Criteria that may apply.
<br />1. Views and vistas are among the most important aspects of a landscape, therefore, they should be maintained and
<br />preserved.
<br />2. All views, vistas, landscape spaces located in the eastern section and central section of Leeper Park shall be preserved.
<br />All views, vistas, landscape spaces located north and east and west of a line designated as the northern fence of the
<br />tennis courts located in the western section of Leeper Park shall also be preserved. This shall include the island(s)
<br />located in the St. Joseph River and the slough which lies between the island(s) and the mainland. All views, vistas,
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