Levin Park
History
In 1866, the year after Henry W. Austin developed a large portion of Cicero Township as Austinville, approximately 20 acres were recorded as Merrick's Subdivision. At the time, developers were worried that fire could spread quickly through newly-constructed neighborhoods, and they often set small parcels of open space aside to provide some protection. Within Merrick's Subdivision, 6.5 acres were designated as parkland. By the 1880s, the site comprised only a planted area enclosed by a white picket fence. At each corner entrance were wooden arches bearing the name "Merrick Park" in large black letters.
In 1899, the City of Chicago annexed Austinville, and within the next few years the park came under the jurisdiction of the Special Park Commission. In 1906, renowned designer Jens Jensen, serving as a member of the Special Park Commission, developed improvement plans for a number of city parks. In Merrick Park, Jensen created two circular meadows and walkways, and densely planted trees and shrubs. There was also a combination tool shed and comfort station. Although the park did not have playground equipment, it offered lawn tennis during the warmer months and ice skating in winter.
The city transferred Merrick Park to the Chicago Park District along with more than 250 other properties in 1959. Within the following decade or so, the park district converted the existing building into a small fieldhouse and installed basketball and volleyball courts, playground equipment, and baseball backstops. In 1974, the site was renamed Levin Park as a tribute to John H. ("Little Jack") Levin (1887-1971). For 57 years, Levin owned Little Jack's Restaurant, a neighborhood institution and favorite spot for boxers who came after matches at Chicago Stadium, as well as Democratic politicians and judges. Levin served as a Chicago Park District Commissioner from 1946 until 1969.
