Monroe Park

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Monroe Park is a small, quiet neighborhood just blocks from the center of downtown, and minutes away from the new and improved Coveleski Stadium, the Farmer’s Market, (which has 166 venders) and the main branch of the fabulous St. Joseph County Public Library.  Across the street a pedestrian bridge over the river leads to Howard Park, the East Bank Trail and the awesome East Race white water course – great for rafting or kayaking. Ignition Park - the second site of a two site tech park - is so close you could walk or ride your bike.
 
On this bright sunny day people are out and about; a mom saying goodbye to her young daughter as she boards the school bus, two ladies chatting on a porch, and a bicyclist preparing to ride downtown. One neighbor working in her flower garden said, “We just moved here and we love it. Our neighbors have been so nice and friendly.”
 
Taylor’s Field Historic District, in the center of the neighborhood, was once home to executives from South Bend’s leading companies. The housing styles are varied and include Queen Anne, Free Classic and more modest cottages.
 
The mix of neighbors is eclectic and includes old timers and new, young families moving in. Investment has been slow, but sure. One man not only lives in the neighborhood, but purchased the old Salvation Army building, a great example of Art Deco style, and two more homes on his street. When asked why he made such a large investment he said, “I think this neighborhood is coming back and I wanted to preserve the homes and the street. Monroe Park has great potential and is so close to downtown. My neighbors are lovely; they’ve watched my daughter grow up.” He likes the location so much he has moved his business, Michiana Tax, to the building.”  He also leases a large portion of the building to a church and has started a non-profit to teach teens fiscal responsibility and entrepreneurship. TACTT, Teens Achieving Through Training. He considers Monroe Park a rare jewel of a neighborhood.
 
To quote one neighbor “this neighborhood has come a long way in the 11 years I’ve lived here; it is now a very stable neighborhood.”
 
In addition, the Monroe Park Unity Garden is one of the most successful Unity Gardens in the city. Started in 2009, with the help of the neighborhood residents, it is a popular gathering place for neighbors and lunch time visitors from local Curtis Products Inc. Complimenting Unity Gardens is the Monroe Park Grocery Cooperative, run by neighbors for neighbors. Monroe Park residents have automatic free membership in the cooperative, which just celebrated its first anniversary. To quote their information, “This is an excellent opportunity to keep money in our neighborhood, feed ourselves/our children reasonably priced food”. The cooperative offers organic produce, co-op prepared foods, goods from local farmers, locally made cheese and homemade products. It is located at 744 South Main Street – one block south of the TRANSPO bus station.
 
Unity Garden and the food cooperative speak to the commitment of Monroe Park residents to make their neighborhood a better place to live. It helps that Monroe Park has a vibrant neighborhood organization which sponsors events all year long, including a Friday Movie night and a corn and sausage roast.
 
Home prices range from very low for a fixer-upper that needs complete renovation to the high 120’s for a completed home. For instance a completely renovated three bedroom/one bath home is listed for $94,900.