South Shore Riverfront Park, South Side Flats: 1 S 18th Street
While this riverfront park is known as South Shore, South Side, and Southside, all refer to the same place. Extending underneath the Birmingham Bridge along the Monongahela River in Pittsburgh’s South Side Flats, the park features picnic space, a public boat and canoe launch, bike and pedestrian trails, two well appointed off-leash dog parks (one for larger dogs, the other for smaller breeds), amazing public art, informational signage, and close access to the amenities of East Carson Street and SouthSide Works retail complex.
And best of all: it’s almost totally flat! The lack of sharp elevation changes and steep hillsides means a more inclusive terrain that is easier for all to explore. Be sure to get a close-up look at the massive sculpture called The Workers. Commissioned in 1997, it was a collaboration between twenty-four artists and features relics from the area’s industrial heritage: the I-beams used to create the figures were once part of the nearby Hot Metal Bridge, and the shields on their arms and legs were remnants from a local boiler house. The ladle between them is an actual piece of equipment once used for pouring hot metal. It’s an impressive tribute to the generations of people who labored long and hard along this river, a place where we now can kick back, relax, and enjoy green grass and shady trees.
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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.