Potawatomi Conservatory Renovation

The Potawatomi Conservatory is located within Potawatomi Park in South Bend, Indiana and is scheduled to receive significant renovations to improve utility efficiencies and site conditions. The main focus of the project is to improve the mechanical and electrical systems. However, some site renovations and circulation improvements are also proposed. The ultimate goal of the project is to help the Conservatory to continue to serve as one of the primary cultural amenities for Potawatomi Park and for the South Bend and Michiana area.

Lehman & Lehman was commissioned by Kil Architecture & Planning of South Bend to provide site design services and was assigned the task of developing convenient parking, a clear main entrance and an accessible walkway connection to the Potawatomi Zoo and to additional parking.
The proposed demolition of the existing greenhouses will allow for the development of an east entry into the facility and for a new parking lot. To promote and demonstrate the effectiveness of bio-retention and filtration, a rain garden is also proposed along the east side of the parking lot.
The project is scheduled to begin this fall with completion in the late spring of 2012. Below is a photographic gallery of the project's progress.

Construction Phase

3.26.12 Construction of new landscape mounds

3.26.12 Subgrade preparation for new parking lot

3.26.12 Excavation for retention area

3.26.12 Excavation for new city sidewalk and driveway

3.20.12 Proposed location for rain water harvesting system

3.20.12 Excavation for new walkway connecting parking lot to south entrance

3.20.12 Excavation for new parking lot and driveway

3.20.12 Preparation for west end of new south walkway connection

3.20.12 New north walkway connection to Kid's Kingdom and parking lot

Pre-Construction Phase

8.12.11 Existing entrance to Ella-Morris Conservatory.

8.12.11 Existing boiler house and greenhouses to be demolished for new parking lot.

8.12.11 Existing building foundation to be removed. Proposed location of new greenhouse addition.

8.12.11 Existing greenhouses (background) to be demolished for new parking lot.

8.12.11 Proposed location of new parking lot.

8.12.11 Existing Mishawaka Avenue streetscape in front of Conservatory (looking west).

8.12.11 Existing Mishawaka Avenue streetscape in front of Conservatory (looking east).

8.12.11 Existing Ella-Morris Conservatory (background) and the existing greenhouses set for demolition.

8.12.11 Existing alley to be improved and re-routed.

8.12.11 Existing parking lot north of Conservatory. Proposed location of new accessible walkway.

8.12.11 Proposed location of new accessible walkway connecting the north parking lot to the Conservatory.

Potawatomi Park Exercise Plaza

Building on the success of the Potawatomi Park "Fun for All' Project with the award of the 2007 Access to Recreation Grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County has secured additional funding for the continued development of universally accessible outdoor play. The recent award will allow the Community Foundation to expand the existing playground, built in 2009, and to construct a new outdoor exercise area.
Lehman & Lehman was commissioned by the Community Foundation to design and oversee the construction of the new exercise area and the accessible walkway. Ancon Construction of Goshen, Indiana was the contractor responsible for the implementation of the proposed design.
Below is a photographic gallery of the construction process.

Conceptual Sketch

Pre-Construction Phase

5.12.11 Proposed location of the exercise area.

5.12.11 Existing gravel path to be replaced - east connection.

5.12.11 Existing pavilion adjacent to the proposed exercise area.

7.14.11 Proposed location of new accessible walkway connecting the parking lot to the playground.

7.14.11 View of the parking lot from the top of the hill.

7.14.11 Existing walkway that the new accessible walkway will tie into.

Construction Phase

9.29.11 Excavation of main exercise area.

9.29.11 Excavation of new east walkway connection.

9.29.11 Excavation of new pavilion connection.

9.29.11 Preparation of main exercise area with adjacent pavilion in background.

9.29.11 View from the existing playground area of exercise area.

9.30.11 Excavation of accessible walkway - view from the parking lot.

9.30.11 Excavation of accessible walkway - view from the top of the hill.

9.30.11 Installation of yard drains adjacent to the exercise area.

10.14.11 Setting forms for the exercise area.

10.14.11 Concrete forms for the new pavilion walkway connection.

10.14.11 Setting forms for accessible walkway - view from the parking lot.

10.14.11 Entry node with bollards at the edge of the parking lot.

10.17.11 Early morning pour of walkway.

10.17.11 Finishing of accessible concrete walkway.

Post-Construction Phase

11.11.11 Completed accessible walkway.

11.11.11 Completed pavilion walkway connection.

11.11.11 Completed exercise area.

11.11.11 Completed exercise area - view from pavilion.