Flint in Genesee County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Berston Field House and Playground

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 18, 2021

1. Berston Field House and Playground Marker

Inscription. Berston Field House and Playground has served Flint citizens as an important recreation center since it opened in 1923. Designed by the Cambridge, Massachusetts, city planning firm of John Nolen, it was developed on land deeded to the city of Flint by members of the Neil J. Berston family in 1920. The field house contained an auditorium, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, community meeting rooms, and a branch of the public library. At Berston people participated in sports, exercised, performed and learned new skills. During the mid-1930s, Berston became the first community center in Flint to admit African-Americans living in the surrounding neighborhood. Berston Field House and Playground remains a significant part of the neighborhood.

Erected 1994 by Bureau of Michigan History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1914.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.

Location. 43° 2.775′ N, 83° 41.619′ W. Marker is in Flint, Michigan, in Genesee County. Marker is at the intersection of Saginaw Street and East Pasadena Avenue,

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on the right when traveling north on Saginaw Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3300 Saginaw St, Flint MI 48505, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Boomtown (approx. 1.1 miles away); Community Presbyterian Church (approx. 1.3 miles away); Civic Park (approx. 1½ miles away); St. Michael Roman Catholic Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); Flint (approx. 1.8 miles away); Applewood Estate (approx. 1.8 miles away); Josiah Dallas Dort (approx. 1.8 miles away); Gatehouse (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flint.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 18, 2021

2. Berston Field House and Playground Marker

Berston Field House and Playground image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 18, 2021

3. Berston Field House and Playground

Photo taken from Saginaw Street looking east

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 18, 2021

4. Mark Ingram

Banner on north end of field house honoring Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram who attended Flint Southwestern Academy in for his senior year.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 176 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 21, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.