Location:
4856 S. Laflin St.
Chicago, IL 60609
Supervisor:
Francisco Rodriguez (Davis Square Park)
Phone Numbers:
Main
(312) 747-5316
Hours
Park Hours
Description
This small playground is 0.21 acres and it is located in the New City community.
While there is no structured programming taking place at this location, we invite you to check out our great programs offered at nearby Davis Square Park for recreation in the gym, fun in the outdoor pool, exercise in the Fitness Center or a game of soccer on the artificial turf.
History
The Chicago Park District acquired the site of this playlot in 1973 with the help of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In 1998, the park was given the name Packingtown Park, after a historic nickname for New City, the community area in which the park is located.
New City was for many years a center of meat packing, long among Chicago's most widely-recognized and influential industries. The enormous Union Stock Yards opened south of Pershing Road and west of Halsted Street on Christmas Day, 1865. The development of the refrigerated rail car in the 1870s prompted exponential growth in the industry. By 1884, more than 30 large packing houses had been established to the west of the yards. Well into the 20th century, immigrants arriving in Chicago found jobs in the slaughter houses and packing plants and took up residence in the surrounding community.
Known as Packingtown, the area received notoriety through Upton Sinclair's 1905 novel, The Jungle. The Chicago packing industry began its slide into decline in the 1920s. In 1971, the Union Stockyard closed its doors entirely.
