The Chicago Park District transformed this once-vacant lot to parkland in 1969, improving it with playground equipment, a sand box, and a spray pool. Officially designated Barberry Park in 1974, the park was one of a number of properties named for trees and plants at the time. An ornamental bush often used for hedges, the barberry has impressive vibrant fall foliage and long-lasting red berries that provide color throughout the winter. Historically, Arabs used the berries for sherbet, and probably knew the plant as berberys, meaning "shell," for its hollowed leaves. Barberries are also associated with the Berbers, who cultivated the them on Africa's Barbary Coast. Though the park district added playground equipment and planted some trees in 1975, the property now stands vacant. The future of the park is uncertain.