Lewis Park, Hazelwood: 4700 Chatsworth Avenue
While playwright August Wilson is mainly associated with the Hill District, he did spend a few adolescent years in Hazelwood. They were not happy years, but they were formative. The original Hazelwood Library on Monongahela Street is where Wilson discovered and voraciously read other Black writers, and Lewis Playground is where he played basketball; activities that brought connection and solace. Today, the library Wilson credited with inspiring his dream of writing is in shambles, and the Lewis Playground, after removing its Dek hockey rink, looks unsettled. Still, there are a few picnic tables close to the small playground, and the bleachers now flank the basketball court. I hope this space and the library are given the opportunity to transform. Like young August, potential can often be overlooked, but often, all that’s needed is a nudge or a nod to propel quietly held dreams.
PS: For those who love August Wilson and walking tours, I highly recommend August Wilson: Pittsburgh Places in His Life and Plays by Laurence A. Glasco and Christopher Rawson. The book explores key sites in the playwright’s life and work with easy-to-follow maps and directions. Ideal for in-person walking or for virtual use with Google Street View!
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