The Chicago Park District transformed this once-vacant lot to parkland in 1969, and officially named it Birch Park in 1973. The park was one of a number of properties named for trees and plants at this time. Worldwide, there are roughly 50 species of birch trees and shrubs. Birch trees may be easily recognized by their papery bark. Birch bark is sometimes used to make boxes, baskets, and other small articles. Certain Native American tribes also fashioned canoes from the bark of the white birch.