Monongahela Playground and Park, South Side Slopes: 2799 Shelly Street
Getting to the Monongahela Park and Playground is not for the faint of heart. Whether you’re walking, biking, or driving, navigating the narrow, winding (sometimes one-way, sometimes not) streets of the South Side Slopes requires patience and attention—and I’m sure the neighborhood residents like it that way.
Exploring the athletic field is a joy because it’s flat and well cared for. If you travel along the perimeter fence, you’ll quickly see that the backdrop of trees behind home plate is the literal tip of the iceberg. Look downhill and you’ll see just how tall those trees really are. Before this space became a public park, it held a community reservoir, first constructed in the 1870s. Our ability to enjoy “a level playing field” today is the direct result of intentional excavation and shaping of the hillside to hold ever larger water basins. I can’t imagine that was an easy job!
While the playground is nothing more than a swing set and a few benches, this is still a nice, comfortable spot to walk, play catch and fetch, or set up that croquet set. Just remember that a bit of strength can go a long way; there’s a whole lotta downhill from here!
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