In May of 1974, Hawthorne Glen Park was acquired through an installment contract purchase for 4 acres and a donation of 2.5 acres by Miller Builders, a developer in the northwest section of the park district. This park served to meet the need for a park to serve the residents between Pfingsten and Landwehr Roads. Planning for the development of this park was completed during the same year but development itself was postponed until funds became available.

In December 1975, the voters of the district approved a two-part referendum. The first part approved a general obligation bond issue in the amount of $450,000 which provided funds to pay an outstanding contractual obligation of $94,000 for the 1974 purchase of the Hawthorne Glen Park. The issue also provided funds for the development of this park with two tennis courts, basketball courts, ball fields, walkways, play equipment, and landscaping in 1976.

In 2004, Hawthorne Glen Park was renovated as part of the park district’s capital replacement program.

In 2010, an additional acre of land adjacent to Hawthorne Glen Park was purchased to improve access and increase the size of the park to 7.5 acres.