Snapping Turtle
History The Chicago Park District purchased the property for this playlot in 1973 with the help of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In 1998, the park was officially named Snapping Turtle. Snapping turtles, which use their powerful hooked jaws to capture prey, can only survive living near permanent bodies of water. Snapping turtles were common in Chicago during the 19th century, but the growth of the city unfortunately destroyed much of their natural habitat.