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CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS STAFF REPORT APPLICATION -- 1997-1024 • PROPERTY -- Leeper Park South Bend, IN OWNER -- City of South Bend Parks Dept. DESIGNATION -- LL RATING -- Significant S/12 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT, In 1895 the City of South Bend purchased a large parcel of land on the east side of Michigan Street for the establishment of the Water Works who located and capped artesian wells there, thus, rendering the land usable for recreation. By 1900 the area around the Water Works had become referred to as Leeper Park. The following year, extensive plans and site development were undertaken. The zoo and lily pond were constructed in 1902. In 1904 the log cabin was moved into the park from 123 West Northshore Drive. This -building was rehabilitated and established as the "Pierre Navarre Cabin. In 1905 additional lands were acquired between Michigan and Lafayette Streets where they developed tennis courts. The following year acreage was added completing the west end of the park and a year after that the connecting wooden bridge was washed away and replaced with a new structure of iron and concrete. By this time the zoo located at the east end of the park boasted 132 animals of 50 varieties and the pond in the middle section of the park was stocked with ducks and geese. • In 1911, the Park Board engaged George Kessler of St. Louis for the development of master plan for the City's park -boulevard system. The present North Pumping Station and its reservoir were constructed in 1912. The present Michigan Street Bridge was constructed in 1915 as part of the Park -Boulevard plan proposed by George Kessler. During the Great Depression extensive work was done in the park funded by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) including the reconstruction of the retaining walls around the island which utilized salvage material from the earlier bridge. PROPOSED CHANGE Applicant proposes to place large rocks or posts along Riverside Drive, north from Bartlett to Rose Garden to prevent parking on the grass. The neighbors on Riverside Drive requested this due to defacing of park property caused by parking cars on the grass. One portion of real parking will remain open. STANDARDS The Preservation Guidelines for Local Landmarks state: C.3. Materials Additions and improvements involving any new material in the landmark should be of the same material as the original. An alternative material may be allowed if it duplicates the original. Building Site and Landscaping 1. Required Structures such as: gazebos, patio decks .... new walls ....and other similar structures shall be compatible to the historic character of the site and the • neighborhood and inconspicuous when viewed from a public way.