Leeper Park

Leeper Park is located at 837 North Lafayette Blvd along the St. Joseph River and with a portion east of Michigan Street (S.R. 933) and along the river. The park area east of Michigan Street is home to the Navarre Cabin, built in 1820.

The cabin is considered to be home to the first European (Pierre Navarre) to permanently settle in St. Joseph County. Both the cabin and the park are registered as National Historic Landmarks. In 1895 the North Pumping Station of the South Bend Water Works was constructed immediately west of the Navarre log cabin. It has been continually improved, renovated and restored, always maintaining its historic façade, while providing a major portion of the supply of safe drinking water to the citizens of South Bend. In 2001 the American Water Works Association (AWWA) awarded the South Bend Water Works North Pumping Station the AWWA Water Landmark Award.

The western portion of the park houses the South Bend Park and Recreation Department’s Tennis Center with 15 lighted tennis courts and a well-rounded and diversified program for all ages and skill groups, ranging from children 3 years of age to senior citizens. Leeper Park Tennis Center hosts a number of local and regional tennis tournaments each year.

This side of the park is also home to the duck pond, playground, and picnic grills, all shaded by a variety of mature trees. Since 1967 the Annual Leeper Park Art Fair has featured local, regional and national artists and craftsmen during a week-end in June.

All of the public parks in South Bend are maintained by the
City of South Bend's Parks and Recreation Department.