"In the 1910s, African-Americans began moving into the neighborhood. While many other parks were inaccessible to black residents, Union Park became racially integrated. Between the 1920s and the 1950s, the park became well-known for cultural and social events, and a number of notable musicians performed there. Among them were the noted pioneer of gospel music Thomas A. Dorsey; trumpeter Sunny Cohn; and jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis."

"In 1959, the city transferred Smith Park to the Chicago Park District, along with more than 250 other properties. After making initial improvements, the park district added a spray pool, swimming pool, and bath house in the late 1960s. In 1979, a large modern field house was constructed in Smith Park. Nine years later, the park district dedicated its gymnasium to Tom Positano, a high school student who had been active at the park, and who received a Junior Citizenship Award posthumously."