Strolling The Hill Neighborhood and Berra Park

Smelling the aroma of freshly baked bread in the morning and seeing the red, white, and green colors of the Italian flag filled my walk through The Hill neighborhood, starting at Berra Park. This is St. Louis’ Italian neighborhood.

I walked about a mile along the sidewalks through The Hill neighborhood and around Berra Park, which allowed me to see several sites in the area.

A Short History

Between 1880 and 1924, Italians moved into this area and worked in nearby brick and tile factories. The area became self-supporting and is filled with Italian restaurants, retail, and Italian grocers.

Starting the Walk

I parked near the corner of Lilly and Daggett Avenues by Berra Park. I headed to Shaw Avenue. To the left of me were baseball fields. Baseball legends Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola grew up in The Hill.

*Red, White, and Green, painted fire hydrants found in The Hill neighborhood.*

At the corner of Shaw and Macklind Avenue, I came across the red, white, and green painted fire hydrants, the neighborhood is known for and a symbol of the area’s Italian heritage.

From here, I headed into the park, first passing by a red tiled roof and brown brick pavilion. A playground with a climbing structure and swing set was nearby.

A monument with a garden honors the park’s namesake, Louis G. “Midge” Berra, who was a longtime political force in the area. He is not related to Yogi Berra.

*Baseball field backed by the Italian flag colors.*

I took a closer look at the baseball field, the light poles, and a back wall are painted the colors of the Italian flag.

Out of the Park

I walked east along Daggett Avenue, heading towards Marconi Avenue, where The Hill’s historic church is located.

*Small bungalows are found in the Hill neighborhood.*

Houses in this neighborhood reflect immigrant heritage with small bungalows and shotgun houses, long, narrow, rectangular houses.

Down Marconi Avenue

At the corner of Daggett Avenue and Marconi Avenue is DiGregorio’s Italian Market, a fixture here since 1971 and known for its Italian Salsiccia, sauces, vinegars, wines, oils, and pasta.

*Immigrant statue by St. Ambrose Catholic Church*

Down Marconi Avenue, I came to the Italian Immigrant statue in front of St. Ambrose Catholic Church. The statue was done by Rudolph Torrini. The statue depicts a young immigrant family with a mother with a newborn baby and a father with a single suitcase in hand.

St. Ambrose Catholic Church

St. Ambrose Catholic Church was constructed in 1925. Its design is based on the Lombard Romanesque style, similar to that of the ancient San Ambrogio Church in Milan. The exterior walls are composed of brick and terra cotta, while the interior features high barrel-vaulted ceilings in three naves, separated by arches that rest on six columns.

Piazza Imo

Down on the right side of the church is the Piazza Imo on the Hill, a small ornate plaza. I first walked through decorated black metal gates. (Main Blog Photo)

In the middle is the Frisella Family Fountain, hand-carved in marble imported from the Apuan Mountains in the Carrara region of Italy. Horse and fish statues shoot out water, and water shoots in from the sides.

Chess tables are in the back, and two fountains line the walls here.

A Memorial Wall honoring immigrants and a prayer garden can also be found here.

Going Back

I walked up Marconi Avenue and then made a left on Wilson Avenue to head to the car. Along the way I passed more bungalows and Sacred Heart Villa, a Catholic pre-school, where children were playing outside. Then I headed north on Macklind, which borders the park.

I stopped at Gioia’s Deli to bring home lunch and bought The Original Hot Salami and the Porknado.

Final Thoughts

Even though the park was small, it was worth walking around the neighborhood and seeing the church and the nearby plaza, along with the Italian restaurants and stores. I love the pride of the community with the Italian red, white, and green flag painted everywhere. I will have to come to enjoy some more Italian deli sandwiches!

DETAILS

Drive: Take Interstate 44 to Exit 287 for Vandeventer, and just after the interstate, make a right onto Shaw Boulevard and look for street parking for the park on the left.

Hours: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Address: 1825 Macklind Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110