(South Bend, Ind.) – Howard Park, South Bend’s first and oldest park, has been award LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The $18.8 million renovation project included a 16,000-foot ice trail and pond, fire pits, an accessible playground, a splash pad, walking trails, and a community center with event space.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence. Through design, construction and operations practices that improve environmental and human health, LEED-certified buildings are helping to make the world more sustainable.

“We are extremely proud that Howard Park is now LEED Gold certified,” said Darin Meyer, project manager for Larson-Danielson. “This was a big wish list item for the project and the City of South Bend, and I am grateful to the entire project team for their efforts to realize this achievement.”

Howard Park achieved LEED certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions. Green buildings allow companies to operate more sustainably and give the people inside them a healthier, more comfortable space to work.

About LEED certification

LEED projects earn points by adhering to prerequisites and credits across nine measurements for building excellence from integrative design to human health to material use. The LEED rating systems work for all buildings at all phases of development and are meant to challenge project teams and inspire outside-the-box solutions.

“LEED is a transformative tool that ensures a building is designed and operated to achieve high performance, improve human health and protect the environment,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO, USGBC. “By prioritizing sustainability, the Howard Park project is leading the way in their industry and helping USGBC continue towards our goal of green buildings for everyone within this generation.”

Certification is proof that buildings are going above and beyond to ensure the space is constructed and operated to the highest level of sustainability. More than 49,300 commercial and institutional projects are currently participating in LEED in all 50 states and more than 178 countries and territories.

The LEED green building rating system has gone through several evolutions since it was originally introduced in 1998. With its initial launch, LEED opened a new chapter in building design, construction, management, and operation. LEED has inspired new energy efficiency and environmental sustainability technologies and gave rise to a full-blown industry dedicated to supporting green buildings. Now, its current version, LEED v4.1, is the most robust, flexible and transparent rating system ever.

Howard Park Photo Gallery

About the U.S. Green Building Council

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a healthy, resilient and equitable future for all through the development of green buildings, cities and communities. For more than 20 years, USGBC has been advancing green building practices through the development of LEED, the world’s most widely used green building program. With the support of thousands of members, volunteers and partners, USGBC provides robust green building education courses, a rigorous professional credentialing program, and advocates for effective public policies. It convenes an international network of green building and sustainability leaders through the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, and forward-thinking programs, including the Center for Green Schools. For more information, visit usgbc.org and connect on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.