Cottonwood Playlot Park
History
The Chicago Park District purchased this playlot site in 1973 with the help of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In 1998, the park was officially named Cottonwood Park. Five huge cottonwood trees once stood in a row near Central Avenue and Race Street in Austin, not far from this park. These were believed to have been "Indian trail trees" planted by Native Americans to mark an important travel route. One immense cottonwood sat directly in the middle of the intersection. In 1874, it was struck by lightening and blown down during a terrible storm.