Southwest Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
1950-1978 Major Redevelopment
In the mid 1950, the Council of South Side Organizations began sponsoring a Fourth of July celebration at the park and included softball games, concerts, a pageant and culminated with fireworks. In 1957, the construction of Interstate 71 running south to North, Cincinnati to Cleveland cut right through Southview Park, dividing it into two sections.
Park land to the east of the highway remained Southview Park; land to the west was named McCoy Park. After the last housing units were demolished in 1961 and continuing throughout the 1960s, ball diamonds were added, with that number gradually increasing through the years. Starting in the 1970s and continuing into the 1980s, the sport of softball continued to grow in Columbus.
Erected 2014 by Columbus Recreation & Parks Department and The Berliner Action Team for Sports.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1950.
Location. 39° 56.244′ N, 83° 0.223′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in Southwest Columbus. It
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Scioto Valley. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Prior to 1946 Private Property / 1946-1950 Greenlawn Avenue Village (here, next to this marker); 1979-1984 Indoor Facilities and New Name (here, next to this marker); The Gary L. Ogle Complex at Berliner Park (here, next to this marker); Lou Berliner (here, next to this marker); "What Can We Do To Help?" (here, next to this marker); Change of Direction (here, next to this marker); Berliner Action Team for Sports (here, next to
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 28, 2026
2. Markers about the history of Lou Berliner Sports Park
Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 48 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 30, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
