Fairywood Park & Playground, Fairywood: Escolta Street
Pittsburgh’s playgrounds, parks, and greenway trails are public land. This means anyone can use them. With 215 diverse locations scattered throughout our 90 neighborhoods, you never have to go far to find a green space.
Despite that proximity, since starting this project in October, I’ve seen very few people using the parks I’ve visited. It could be the time of the year. Or maybe, more insidiously, city residents are preferring other activities. Enticing entertainment options abound, and the days of seeking an escape from crowded houses filled with siblings and extended family are long behind us.
But just as my fears for the coming obsolescence of the neighborhood park were reaching the warning zone, I visited Fairywood. I don’t doubt that at one time, this West End neighborhood was true to its name, but today, due to an 80% population loss, much of the area is warehouse distribution centers. Of all the places in Pittsburgh, why would there still be a playground here?
Perhaps because the Fairywood Playground is a hive of playful activity! On the afternoon of my visit, half a dozen women and children of all shapes and sizes were making full use of the playground equipment, even the “little ‘Burgh-ers” who weren’t walking yet were waving their arms and making joyful sounds. Just witnessing this group having fun made me happy. In fact, I’m happy again, just thinking about it as I write and edit this post. Thank you, Fairywood, your name stays true.
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