In the 1950s and early 1960s, there was a beautiful row of poplar trees along the wall that curves around the beach. I used to love the way their leaves rattled in the breeze.
Also, at that time, the busy part of the beach – and it was much busier than is the case in this picture – was at the 75th Street end at the bottom of the picture.
The set of red-roofed buildings, gyms and other facilities, back from the beach at the north end, is a modern addition as are the parking lots.
CHUCKMAN'S PLACES ON WORDPRESS: FEATURING THE BELOVED URBAN VILLAGE OF SOUTH SHORE CHICAGO 
The red roofed park building for indoor recreation was completed in 1998. Also, the far south end of the beach where there is vegetation has built up behind the breakwater since the ’50s.