Trip #133 Hyena Way, California-Kirkbride, Pittsburgh took place on April 18, 2018, and was published on May 14, 2018.
I was standing quietly, minding my own business when suddenly spring arrived, and the knotweed started to grow again. On this end of Marivista, the old folks grew older, and the young kids climbed the stairs to Success, never looking back. There’s nothing much here now, except a tattered old “House For Sale” sign and the rambling remains of sidewalk stairs that once led everyone home. I see you, sitting quietly, minding your own business looking up at Success. I can tell you’re thinking, and you’re wondering how it used to be. Your eyes trace my bare branches reaching out across the skies and down the hillside. At one time, these limbs were arms reaching out and lifting up, but not anymore. I see you, and I know you see me. Our connection is unspoken, and in our shared quiet, the knotweed grows bigger by the minute. Soon, it will be summer, and all that remains here will again be hidden from view. (And a tip-of-the-cap to travel writer Bill Fink for gamely exploring the lesser-known “mysteries” of Pittsburgh)
Field Notes: I took travel writer Bill Fink to explore the remains of public stairways in the California-Kirkbride neighborhood of Pittsburgh’s Northside. Bill was in town interviewing folks and researching the history and current use of city steps for an upcoming article for Southwest Airlines’ travel magazine. I think he had a fun time??? He certainly got a fair share of aerobic activity from all our stairways!
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!!
