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As World War II drew to a close, the city began creating many new playgrounds and playlots to serve Chicago's growing population of young children. By 1945, the Bureau of Parks and Recreation had replaced an old fire station with a small playlot that included a sand box; a spray pool; a marble ring; playground equipment; and hopscotch, horseshoe, and basketball courts. As the bureau's practice was then to name sites for adjacent streets, the site became known as Emerald Park. The street name honors the heritage of many Chicago families who originate from lush, green Ireland, often termed the Emerald Isle. In 1957, the City transferred Emerald Park to the ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ pursuant to the Chicago Park and City Exchange of Functions Act. In the late 1970s, the Park District removed the playground equipment and re-developed the park, devoting most of the site to new basketball courts, and adding a planted area.  In 2012, the park was expanded when the ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ acquired the adjacent vacant property from the City of Chicago.