Frank Curto Park, Strip District: Bigelow Boulevard
Frank Curto Park occupies a prominent space on the Pittsburgh Curiosities Bingo card. The spot is informally known as “French Fry Park” because of the bright yellow abstract sculpture by John Henry. Titled “Pittsburgh,” Henry’s gigantic welded-steel construction gets all the attention, but Frank Curto (1898-1971) also deserves accolades for his many contributions to the City. He joined the Department of Parks and Recreation in 1935 and, after serving in the US Air Force during World War II, was promoted to chief horticulturist, a position he held until his retirement in 1970.
Curto Park is difficult to reach: the sidewalk from Polish Hill along Bigelow Boulevard is narrow and crumbling, and for drivers, the access road leaves little room for error. Still, it’s worth the aggravation because the views of the Strip District, Allegheny River, and the North Side offer a quintessential Pittsburgh patchwork of buildings and bridges, tree-covered hillsides, and plenty of sky. There is a flight of crumbling city steps that once led to a long-gone neighborhood, and a massive stone retaining wall built in the days when an incline ran overhead, shuttling people and cargo up and down the steep elevation change. There’s a lot of Pittsburgh to experience from this narrow sliver of land, so don’t let the challenges deter you.
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.