The chelation crosslinked polymers include a polymer backbone having one or more chelation crosslinking group(s) at least partially bonded to one or more cation(s). The chelation crosslinking groups may be within a polymer backbone and/or pendant from the polymer backbone. The chelation crosslinked polymers may be chelation crosslinked polyesters. The chelation crosslinked polymers can be used in tissue engineering applications to form tissue grafts and scaffolds.