Sullivan Field, Lower Lawrenceville: 36th and Liberty Avenue
We don’t often give much thought to creating or maintaining public space until something fails to work or doesn’t meet our expectations. That behavior is characteristically human and rather unfortunate, because many of these places exist only because of sustained effort by many individuals, some paid, some as volunteers. That effort includes what’s happening today, as well as decades ago, when these spaces were planned, designed, and constructed. That’s untold hours of labor.
In looking at the elements of a public space, one slowly develops a sense of passing time: a date chiseled into a granite block, the style of a park sign, water fountain, fence, trash can, or field house that hints at its age. Most people visit a park or athletic field for relaxation or recreation, but you can also visit as a detective, looking for clues of the past and the present, with infinite layers of time seen and unseen.
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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.