Ground is being broken for the Leeper Park Improvement Project.
The first phase of the project starts immediately and includes the installation of a new ADA accessible playground, the historical Studebaker Fountain, a formal garden and paths throughout the park.
The second phase will begin later this year and will include several traffic calming and street improvements to improve pedestrian safety.
It also includes installation of an overlook on the riverbank.
The City of South Bend released the following information about the improvement project:
The Leeper Park Improvement Project is a multi-phase project that will enhance
accessibility, improve pedestrian safety, acknowledge the park’s historical importance, and modernize aging features.
The first phase of the project starts immediately and includes the installation of a new ADA accessible playground, the historical Studebaker Fountain (a project led by the Studebaker Fountain Restoration Committee and Vicki McIntire), a formal garden and ADA accessible paths throughout the park.
The second phase will begin later this year and will include several traffic calming and street improvements related to improve pedestrian safety and the installation of an overlook on the riverbank to allow for viewing wildlife in their native environment.
Leeper Park is the only property in the parks system thatis included in the local historic registry. The park was originally designed by famed park designer George Kessler in 1915. The new park designs echo the original plans of Kessler and were approved by the Historic Preservation Commission.
The Central part of the park will be closed for most of the duration of the project. There will also be portions of the west side of the park adjacent to the tennis courts closed during improvements on that side. The portion of Leeper Park east of N. Michigan St. will be unaffected by the project and remain open for the duration.
The playground improvements at Leeper Park, in addition to the previously completed lavender labyrinth, are part of a partnership with Beacon Health and the Madison School STEAM Academy. Students at Madison School participated in the design process which was incorporated in the final plans.
For the complete design plans of the Leeper Park project and more information about MSBPT, visit http://mysbparksandtrails.com/projects/leeperpark/.
