History In 1957, the City of Chicago created this small park on South Ellis Avenue near 64th Street as part of a city-wide program to provide additional recreational space in under-served neighborhoods like Woodlawn. Woodlawn's population increased by 23% between 1930 and 1960, though there was virtually no new construction during that period. At the same time, the proportion of African-American residents in Woodlawn rose from 13% to 89%. In 1959, the city transferred the small playground to the Chicago Park District, along with more than 250 other properties. Ten years later, at the urging of the 63-6400 Ellis Block Club, the park district began to acquire vacant property adjacent to the original park site. The lot became part of 64th & Ellis Park in 1974, tripling the park's size and providing room for new basketball and volleyball courts. The park district rehabilitated the playground area in 1984 and again in 1990.

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