In 1953, the South East Little League developed a baseball facility for the youth of Calumet Heights. The twin ballfields - one for junior play and one for standard play - stood in the midst of Mill Gate, a well-developed neighborhood where recreational land was at a premium. In 1970, the Little League offered to donate the 2.7 acre-site to the Chicago Park District for use as a public park. In accepting the offer, the park district agreed that one of the ballfields would continue to be used for South East Little League games and that the park would not be resold for development.

The park's name honors late Illinois State Senator Daniel Dougherty (1905--1976), who served the district in which the park is located for more than 20 years, until his death in 1976. Dougherty had also been the Cook County Circuit Courts' director of finance since 1941.

Located in the Calumet Heights community, Dougherty Playground Park features a baseball field. This park totals 3.11 acres and is a great space for families to relax and enjoy the day.