Trip #103 Bigelow Boulevard to Schenley Farms Terrace, Upper Hill (Hill District), Pittsburgh took place on September 30, 2017, and was published on March 5, 2018.
Something soft is under my shoe. I look, and it’s a cherry, small and wrinkled, more brown than red with a little frail stem the only thing to keep it from rolling. I look at my feet, my seat, and there are more. Little cherries scattered all along the stairs mixed into the corners with the crunchy crumbling leaves. I look up, and there is the tree. Some withered fruits still hanging from its branches. Holding on. Not wanting to be down below. At some point, they’re going to have to fall, but until they do, they can enjoy the view.
Field Notes: Schenley Farms Terrace is so lovely – the brick road, the cherry trees, the stately but not overly ostentatious homes. Love it! I did this visit back in September of 2017 mistaking these stairs for another set (Trip 47) in the same neighborhood. Glad it appeared sooner rather than later on the list!
Want to visit these stairs? You can locate them on the Pittsburgh City Steps Plan website!
See the Risograph print of this photo and story in the Mis.Steps Shop.
Be a good neighbor! Have you visited these stairs and found them in poor condition or that illegal dumping (large items like tires, old furniture, and construction debris) and trash were abundant in the area? There are two things you can do to take action and make our city steps cleaner and safer for everyone! First, grab a photo if you can, and submit a report to Pittsburgh 311. All problems, both broken stairs, and railings, as well as trash and dumping, should be reported to the city. You can easily do this online or by calling. If the location has an abundance of illegal dumping and trash, also contact Allegheny Cleanways, letting them know the location and the nature of the garbage. Thank you!!
