10-28-13 Common Council Agenda & Packet

Home Browse Search

History Its history dates back to the late 1600s with the discovery of the St Joseph River and creation of the Portage Trail, a major trade route used by French explorers and Native Americans who passed through the area. In 1820, the settler Pierre Navarre, the first European resident, built the first permanent dwelling in the current Leeper Park. Mr. Navarre was of French descent well educated, and moved to St. Joseph Country from Monroe, Michigan in 1820. At the time of this move, Mr. Navarre was an agent for the American Fur Company. Prior to Mr. Navarre settling in St. Joseph County, he had trapped and traded furs among the Native Americans that lived in the area. But, in 1820 he decided to permanently reside in South Bend and open a standing trading post Soon others followed and South Bend grew quickly. During the late I800s and early 1900s the city expanded to incorporate the area we now know as the near northwest neighborhood. The near northwest is home to Leeper Park with its fabulous scenic views of the St Joseph River. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2000, it is the City's first planned park and features a historic duck pond and a I4 -court Tennis Center that is home to the citywide championships. Part of the City- Beautiful initiative the Michigan Street Bridge was designed by local engineer, Charles W. Cole, in 1914. It was designed to complement the development of Leeper Park. Crossing the St Joseph River, the Michigan Street Bridge features wide arching spans with pier pilasters that rise from a pedestal base. The pilasters have decorative scrolls at the top and connect to open arch balustrade rails, adding to the beauty of the span. The decoration of the bridge is based on George Kessler s designs. Kessler designed Leeper Park and other beautiful parks and bridges in the Midwest The Bridge is constructed of cement and smooth -cut Bedford Limestone. Since 1967, the annual Leeper Park An Fair has featured local, regional and national artists and artisans each June. Other neighborhood parks include Brownfield, Muessel Grove and Shetterley parks as well as the southern gateway to the Riverside Trail. Brownfield Park, named after the Brown family, is at the northern border of the Near Northwest along Angela Boulevard, and adjacent to the Riverside Historic District It has a basketball court tucked in at one end, swing sets for the kids at the other end, and a large open meadow used for football and soccer practices. Muessel Grove Park is at the western edge of the near northwest along Vassar Ave. at Wilbur Street The park is named for the family that operated a local brewery adjacent to it: in addition the family owned some of most prominent houses in our neighborhood. The park features a grove of tall oak trees providing shade for summertime activities. It also has two baseball diamonds, a basketball court, a pavilion and lots of picnic tables. The soccer field is Lf