COA APPLICATION #2020-0302: NORTHERN INDIANA HISTORIC SOCIETY INC. V. SOUTH BEND HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

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RECOMMENDATION Based on the HPC Local Landmarks Criteria, the site at Leeper Park has been recommended by the Historic Preservation Commission as a Local Historic Landmark. The site meets the criteria in at least four areas. 1.) Its character, interest, or value as part of the development,heritage, or culture of the City of South Bend, St. Joseph County, the State if Indiana, or the United States of America. 2.) Its embodiment of elements of architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship which represents an architectural characteristic or innovation. 3.) Its educational value. 4.) Its suitability for preservation. The site fulfills criteria #1 as material evidence of South Bend's development of civic institutions and infrastructure developed for use and enjoyment by the general public with the purpose of improving the general health and well being of the rapidly growing community. The site fulfills criteria #2 as an example of trends in late 19th century and early 20th century park and boulevard planning. The several historical sites and structures in the park such as the reservoir, the duck pond, and the foot bridge are not rated at this time in the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Survey as the survey has not yet addressed man-made landscape features of this type. Miscellaneous buildings in the park which are not individually landmarked and which are rated as contributing include the Colonial Revival pumping stations. The site fulfills criteria #3 as an example of turn of the century suburban park planning. The area also represents the integration of recreational space with utilitarian development and the development of modern notions of public health and hygiene. The site meets criteria #4 by the integrity and profuse archaeological evidence of its features, development and construction with limited alterations and deterioration. DBD 7/29/96