Alton Playground, Beechview: Andick Way
The expression, “The good old days were never this good,” comes to mind whenever I visit a playground that has seen many iterations. The Alton Playground, originally called the Beechview Playground, is an ideal example. First constructed in 1920 by the Bureau of Recreation, it had a baseball field, open space, a bandstand, swings, and a slide. Sounds nice, right? And by 1920s standards, I’m sure it was, which only serves to highlight just how much progress we’ve made in 100 years.
I’ve included two of my favorite photos from Historic Pittsburgh taken of this playground on Labor Day, 1922. While clothing styles and park amenities have changed over time, the way kids behave at a playground has largely remained the same (and why slides and swings today aren’t quite so tall).
One hundred years later, Alton’s playground, basketball court, and soccer field still draw crowds. Thanks to Beechwood Elementary next door, children play here almost every day during the school year, and soccer leagues bring families on the weekends. The field is encircled by a packed dirt track popular with dog walkers, joggers, and anyone wanting to stretch their legs on a flat (that’s important in Beechview!) green space. While the bandstand is long gone, the world now offers every kind of music at the touch of your fingertips or voice command. What would the children of 1922’s Beechview have to say if they could see our world today?
PS: For those who want to explore further, two flights of city steps connect Alton to the Vanucci Field and Spray Park. Unlike the 1920s, it’s a hop, skip, and a jump featuring plenty of shade trees and green grass!
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