McGonigle Park, Sheraden: 3525 Allendale Street
It’s a late-morning weekday, and a young girl, maybe 3 or 4 years old, plays in the jungle gym. An older woman, perhaps her grandmother, sits nearby on a bench. Her posture is attentive and alert while she watches the child play. As I meander through the park, I occasionally hear her voice and the higher-pitched burblings of the child, their call and response like a ball being thrown back and forth.
I imagine their late morning playground visit to be part of a daily routine that starts with kisses goodbye and hello, breakfast at the kitchen table, watching a favorite show, and then, if the weather is good, putting on shoes and a coat for a walk down the street to the playground. Hold my hand now, we’re crossing the street. What do you want to play on first? Gram’s going to sit here, my knees are sore this morning. Be careful now.
Walking a circle around the baseball field and basketball courts yields remnants of plans from days long gone. Some seem out of place and useless now. Conditions change. Environments change. But still, we take comfort in the routines that connect us to people and places we love.
As I leave the park, I see the two making their way up the street. Perhaps it is time for lunch. The little one runs ahead, making joyful sounds. Gram follows behind, keeping her eyes on the prize.
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.