Chicago's south side Washington Heights neighborhood experienced significant residential growth after World War II. By the mid-1960s, members of the neighborhood's Greenwood Park Community Council were urging the Chicago Park District to set aside vacant land along the Chicago & Western Indiana Railroad tracks for parkland. Within a few years, the park district had purchased more than 13 acres of property with the help of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding made available through the Urban Beautification Act. Improvements began in 1970. The new park was soon equipped with basketball and tennis courts, an athletic field, a playground, and a brick fieldhouse designed by Dubin, Dubin, Black and Moutoussamy. The park honors Joseph J. Robichaux (1919-1971), a businessman and community organizer. Beginning in 1967, Robichaux served as executive director of the Baldwin Ice Cream Company, the first African-American-owned ice cream producer in the nation. Robichaux was active in the political life of Chicago, serving as a Cook County Commissioner and as a 21st Ward Committeeman. He also participated in various charitable and civic organizations, including the Catholic Youth Organization, the United Servicemen's Organization, and the National Amateur Athletic Union.

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