Blair Street Park & Lytle Land: 5229 Blair Street and 5108 Lytle Street, Hazelwood
Like the neighborhoods they serve, parks and playgrounds are dynamic, ever-changing places. And when it comes to change, Hazelwood’s trajectory has been dramatic. What began as a nineteenth-century pastoral enclave for the wealthy was replaced by twentieth-century heavy industry and mill-working families. But by the dawn of the twenty-first century, Hazelwood’s steel industry would be shuttered, and the rate of depopulation, staggering.
The Blair Street park once had athletics courts and a small playground, and while it’s still owned by the City, it’s no longer a functional space. This area is included in the new bike/pedestrian-friendly Melanchaton Street bridge to be constructed above the freight rail tracks. What’s in store for the park is uncertain, but in a few years, something new and different will be there.
The story of the Lytle Land tot park, two blocks away, is similar. Created by residents, local non-profits, and foundations, it wasn’t long ago that derelict, empty houses occupied the space. Today, it’s a popular playground for young children and a public gathering space with colorful murals, walking paths, and attractive landscaping.
No one knows for sure what the future holds for Hazelwood, but I have no doubt that its history of dramatic transformation will continue. I just hope some of Lytle Land’s vibrancy carries over to Blair Street Park. In a few years, those “littles” will be tweens and teens, and they’ll need a fun and safe outdoor space to enjoy.
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