Bon Air Parklet, Bon Air, 306 Conniston Avenue
When I was 8, the Sears catalog offered fuel for fantasies. Whenever one arrived in the mail, I’d eagerly pore over the pages of toys and games, but a backyard gazebo always made it to the top of my “wish list.” In my kid brain, a gazebo surrounded by trellised roses, daisies, and manicured green grass would transform me and my family into happy, smiling people with perfect hair and beautiful clothes.
Instead, my parents bought a swing set and a small, above-ground swimming pool, which were awesome. In no time, my artfully curated gazebo dreams faded into the deepest recesses of memory—until I walked down Conniston Avenue in Bon Air.
While the lower portion of Bon Air Parklet offers a small playground and adjoining athletic court, the upper section displays a veterans memorial, decorative lampposts, and a six-sided gazebo complete with a cupola, intricate metalwork railings, and a forest green roof. The flash flood return of my childhood obsession caught me by surprise and made me laugh out loud—this gazebo was very impressive!
But as my inner child receded and the adult returned, I noticed that without a table, benches, or chairs, spending time here would be impossible for anyone of any age. And that’s unfortunate because this is a pretty little neighborhood park. The objects in our lives (and minds) need connected and meaningful activities to give them life. Until then, they remain decorative but empty, like the staged set ready and waiting for the Sears catalog models to arrive.
Love Pittsburgh’s City Steps? Get a Copy of the NEW Book!
City Steps of Pittsburgh: A History & Guide explores the history of the steps and the neighborhoods in which they were built. It also includes 13 guided walks and 20+ locations worth visiting—all with detailed descriptions, directions, and resources for creating your own urban hiking adventure. All areas of Pittsburgh are represented: north, south, east, and west. The book is available through all online shops (including our publisher) and local and independent bookstores.