Flint Park is a valuable asset to the Larchmont-Mamaroneck community, boasting tennis and basketball courts, playing fields, a band stand, playgrounds, and gorgeous nature trails. Aside from its physical amenities, however, the park provides Larchmont-Mamaroneck residents with a common backyard, a place for all to enjoy at their leisure. Sophie Steinberg (‘24) appreciates Flint Park as a place to spend time with others, sharing, “My favorite thing about Flint Park [is] the playground with the big swings because I always hang out with my family and friends there.”
Flint Park has been open to the public for over one hundred years, so naturally, it has undergone some wear and tear. Luckily, Flint Park Conservancy, a local organization, works to maintain the appeal and safety of the Park even as it ages. Melissa Manice, President of the Conservancy, notes that many of Flint’s buildings, courts, and fields “have been deemed ‘end of life,’” and are thus “in dire need of rehabilitation.” In particular, she says the list of repairs include “the two 100-year-old buildings in the Park, both of which were built as public works projects during the Great Depression.” In an effort to maintain it as the outdoor haven it has been for decades, the Conservancy is working to revitalize Flint. Mikey Sullivan (‘25), is looking forward to the updates: “I am excited for the renovations! I hope they update the bathrooms because they were kind of gross.” Sullivan added that, as the project looks to make the park future-forward, that he also “hope(s) they create a gender neutral bathroom.” Eloise Bernstein (‘25), who referees soccer at Flint, further points out the need for some changes, specifying that “the [soccer] fields get all misshapen, which is annoying in general, although it’s nobody’s fault.”
Flint Park Conservancy has launched a renovation plan broken into phases to improve the park’s condition. Manice explains that “in phase one, we are building two new regulation size basketball courts, an all ages playground with [a] ninja warrior course, three new paddle courts with a warming hut as well as a new café, [an] event space, [a] MHS tennis team locker room, as well as new restrooms in the historic tennis building.”
Manice expects these updates to be finished by the summer. As for playing fields, Manice states, “we anticipate groundbreaking in the Spring/Summer 2024 for a new Alma Field, new Flint Front soccer and baseball fields with extensive improvements to the pathways (including a fitness circuit along East Creek).” Manice further shares that “we are excited to restore the Playhouse Building as a bookable community venue as well as the rehabilitation of the waterfront Tidal Basin section of the park.” Athletes, musicians (who perform at the bandstand) and park goers in general have much to look forward to from the first two renovation phases, which are expected to be completed by 2026.
Steinberg is eager for the new renovations: “I think the renovations will definitely increase community because more people will want to see the renovations, and more people will come, leading to more social experiences in our community.” Sullivan, too, believes the renovations will bring more people to Flint: “I think I will spend more time there, and my younger siblings definitely will too. Flint Park is already where [I] hang out with friends, and when it is renovated, I think they will be there way more often.”
Although Steinberg and Sullivan are both excited about the renovations, they expressed nostalgia for the current Flint Park. Steinberg explained, “I am very sentimental about the changes because I have always loved the original Flint Park…It’s been a part of my life for very long, so I feel sad, but excited to see what’s to come.” Sullivan corroborated, “As for the playground, I really liked the existing one when I was a kid. I hope they leave the giant saucer swings. However, I do think it needs updating because a lot of the time there are elements of the playground that are broken. The courts definitely need an upgrade…I hope they add a net on the basketball court!” Bernstein agreed, adding that “Flint Park is one playground in the area where kids actually get to spend time outside, so I see it as a positive thing that it is being made better.”
The renovations will be largely beneficial, if expensive. Manice notes that Flint Park Conservancy “has been relying heavily on private donor support to bring this exciting transformation to life…Our goal is to raise $10 million and we are over 50% towards our fundraising goal.” Manice elaborated that students can participate in the fundraising: “We are hoping to launch a student-led fundraising campaign this Spring in which we will be fundraising for new pathways as well as the “Adopt a Tree” campaign, both of which will be run out of our student-operating mobile concession cart which is debuting this spring.” She encourages students to contact the Conservancy to get involved.
Flint Park Conservancy is still in the process of making its dream of a more enjoyable, up-to-date Flint Park a reality. With its new renovations, this key destination in the Larchmont-Mamaroneck community is sure to attract students, athletes, and community members in interesting new ways.
