Trip #141 Ridgeland Place to Brighton Avenue, Marshall-Shadeland, Pittsburgh took place on May 12, 2018, and was published on June 1, 2018.
All too often, we’re embarrassed to call ourselves a beginner, like there’s a stigma attached to not knowing all the answers. But, when we’re brave enough to embrace our inner “newbie” and just roll with it, we can have so much fun. As I sit here on these stairs, a gold and black beetle, slightly larger than a sunflower seed, is traversing the concrete slab. Its movements seem a bit random and comical to me, but I don’t know anything about beetles; this could be completely normal or contain a certain significance. In my beginner’s mind, anything is possible. Everything about this creature is new and fascinating, full of possibilities. If I were an expert, I might know more, but I also might see less.
Field Notes: You can tell part of this sidewalk/stairway has been moved over time – probably when the parking lot and fence were installed. The old railing is still in place next to the house but the concrete is gone and grass has grown up instead.
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!!
