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Chicago's Clearing community remained sparsely populated until the 1940s, when industrial development on the southwest side and in nearby suburbs brought a surge of residential construction to the area. Among the new developments was the Lawler Park subdivision, established in 1944. In 1947, the City of Chicago began creating a 6.2-acre park in the new subdivision. By 1950, the City's Bureau of Parks and Recreation had improved the site with a sand box and playground equipment. Clearing's population again increased significantly during the following decade.  The City transferred Lawler Park to the ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ in 1957 pursuant to the Chicago Park and City Exchange of Functions Act. To meet the needs of the rapidly-growing community, the bureau began extensive improvements in 1958, upgrading the playground equipment and adding basketball and volleyball courts, as well as a brick recreation building.  In 1985, after obtaining a $100,000 appropriation from the State of Illinois, the Park District thoroughly rehabilitated the athletic field and the playground area. Further planting and playground improvements were made during the 1990s.

Originally known as Leamington Park for the street to the west, by 1958, the park had been given the name of the surrounding subdivision. The park, the subdivision, and nearby Lawler Avenue all honor the memory of Union General Michael K. Lawler (1814-1882). Born in Kildare, Ireland, Lawler emigrated to the United States, fought in the Mexican War, and was made a general by Ulysses S. Grant during the Civil War.