Preservaton of Historic Landscapes

On July 22, 2003 Charles Birnbaum, FASLA spoke to a group of over 40 people at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center.  Birnbaum, is a nationally-know expert on historic landscapes and works for the National Park Service, Washington DC.

Birnbaum was an enthusiastic, interesting and informative speaker.  He opened the eyes of the Irvington Garden Club, we must stop plopping features, trees, totlots, etc. into the landscape.

In March of 2003 the Indianapolis Park and Boulevard System was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.   Irvington`s Ellenberger Park and Pleasant Run Parkway are a part of this system.  This system is the master work of nationally famous landscape architect and city planner George Edward Kessler.

Historic Kessler System

The Indianapolis Historic Park and Boulevard System

What an opportunity for Irvington and what a responsibility for the Irvington Garden Club.

WE MUST research and study.

What was the intention of the original designer George E. Kessler?

• WE MUST ask ourselves:
  • what is the master plan for Irvington, Ellenberger Park and the Parkway?
  • what is the architectural flavor of Irvington?
  • is what we are about to do going to destroy a beautiful view?
  • is this an appropriately styled feature?
  • how do we plant to hide or disguise a feature and not bring attention to it?
  • is this the type of tree we want and need to keep the tree canopy diverse and out of decline?
  • is this something that will benefit our neighborhood?
• WE MUST discuss
• WE MUST plan for the future
• WE MUST educate our neighbors

Here is an example, the damaged gazebo at Ellenberger park and the location of the totlot completely destroys the vista for all our neighbors driving, walking and living on that side of the park.  Instead of the beautiful setting, seeing the the light and shadows through the trees your eye is drawn to the totlot.  What if we kept the totlot in that general area, but carved a spot for it out of the hill and nestle it down into the landscape.

Let`s replace the gazebo with a replica of
 
the Summer House on the old Butler campus.

Have you noticed that after you have entered Irvington from the city on New York, driving on Pleasant Run Parkway, the temperature drops from the heat of the city to a soothing cool.   The beauty of the mature trees catches your eye.  When the trees and shrubs are cleaned out a bit, glimpses of Pleasant Run Creek can be seen. 

Continue traveling along Pleasant Run Parkway, as you round the sharp turn, what catches your eye?  The bright blue fencing around the porta potties!!  Notice the trash cans?  How could you miss them.  They are that same bright blue.

Let`s replace the Bolton Street bridge with a replica of
 
the footbridge in this picture taken in1890`s.

                                               

Wouldn`t downtown Irvington look wonderful with our old street lights replaced? Picture taken c. 1915 of the Irvington State Bank on Washington Street.  Notice the street light. This picture is from Paul Diebold`s book Greater Irvington, published by the Irvington Historical Society.

Irvington was developed to be a suburb, an escape from the city. Irvington remains that today.

When people cross over an Irvington boundary street, we want them to know that they have entered into a special place. A calmer and more peaceful, an emotionally and physically restorative place.

Irvingtonians have an opportunity to create one of the most amazing neighborhoods in the city and in turn help the Indianapolis Park and Boulevard Systems become one of the most recognized in the nation.  Irvington, Ellenberger Park and our Parkway can be historically correct, visually beautiful and still meet all the needs of our neighbors.

The pictures of the summer house and footbridge are from Larry Muncie`s books, Irvington Stories and Irvington Album .