Marydale Park and Loeb Lake were acquired by the City of Saint Paul in 1969 after decades of being used as a chemical and waste disposal site. A hazardous area within the North End, community members sought to restore the park in 1974 for recreational use. Their efforts have since resulted in the introduction of several amenities added to the land, including picnic tables, grills, benches, a tot-lot, and a trail surrounding Loeb Lake. The lake is designated by the Minnesota DNR as a children's fishing pond — young anglers can fish for crappies and bluegills from a pier on the lake's eastern shore.