|
STAFF REPORT
<br />CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A
<br />CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
<br />
<br />Date: November 7, 2023
<br />Application Number: 2023-1106A
<br />Property Location: Leeper Park
<br />Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Planned landscape/1897/City
<br />superintendent Herman Beyer; Landscape Architect George Kessler
<br />Property Owner: City of South Bend, Venues Parks & Arts
<br />Landmark or District Designation: Local Landscape Landmark, Ordinance
<br />#8734-96 and National Register of Historic Places, 6/15/2000
<br />Rating: Outstanding
<br />
<br />DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE: Leeper Park is the first planned public park in South Bend
<br />located north of downtown and the medical district. Leeper Park is oriented east/west at the St. Joseph River,
<br />divided into three sections, East, Central, and West, by Michigan Street and Lafayette Boulevard. The Eastern
<br />section was originally established for the Water Works with the first construction on site being a network of
<br />thirty, six-inch artesian wells.1 “The first land condemned for the future Leeper Park, in June of 1895, was
<br />meant to provide a second artesian well field and pumping facility for the lively industries and town
<br />population which was growing along the south bend of the St. Joseph River.”2 City superintendent Herman
<br />Beyer first influenced the design including curvilinear paths, plantings, and water features. The 1911-1915
<br />Parks and Boulevard system and the Leeper Park Plan, designed by celebrated planner and landscape architect
<br />George Kessler, embodied early twentieth century ideals grounded in the City Beautiful movement,
<br />connecting parks and boulevards as planned elements of a coordinated city plan. Kessler’s Plan for Leeper
<br />Park included both formal and informal design elements, adopting existing park features of the Beyer era
<br />through a skillful remodel. The association of the park sections with different uses was a result of Kessler’s
<br />planning; the West section was deemed for active recreation, the Central section as passive recreation, and the
<br />Eastern Section was adopted for its function as a Water Works but also boasts a number of recreation-related
<br />features. While the Kessler Plan guided Leeper Park development for the next decade, documentary evidence
<br />appears that only some elements of the Kessler design were actually installed.3 Sensitive extensions of
<br />Kessler’s Plan continued into the 1920s and 1930s and included Works Progress Administration funded labor
<br />for several projects.4
<br />
<br />Leeper Park East features include: the North Pumping Station, the water reservoir, multiple water well pumps,
<br />Ziegler Performing Center with fixed bench seating, signage for the former Garden of Fragrance, the Navarre
<br />Cabin, the foundation of the former Powell House, a non-functioning Comfort Station, a swing set/slide, the
<br />Sunken (Rose) Garden, the island, and the Works Progress Administration retaining wall and a bridge to the
<br />island.
<br />
<br />Leeper Park Central features include: West Lagoon (Duck Pond), concrete stairs on embankment, a well
<br />house, the Edward B. Reynolds fountain, Lavender Labyrinth, memorials including trees, stones, plaques, and
<br />a scenic river overlook.
<br />
<br />Leeper Park West features include: backdrop of the former baseball diamond, a playground, tennis courts, a
<br />recreation building, a parking lot, an odor garden, and raised vegetable gardens with adjoining paths.
<br />
<br />
<br />1 Leeper Park Cultural Landscape Report, prepared by Westerly Group for the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County,
<br />May 1998.
<br />2 Ibid.
<br />3 Ibid.
<br />4 Malcolm Cairns, ASLA. “Leeper Park Historic District.” National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination Form, NR-1411. South Bend,
<br />St. Joseph County, Indiana, June 15, 2000.
<br />
<br />
|