Trip #243 Junilla Street, Middle Hill, Pittsburgh took place on January 12, 2019, and was published on February 1, 2019.
High above me, there’s a loud rustling in the bare treetop. The uppermost branches bend and sway and in a moment a large bird launches into flight. It’s a red-tailed hawk beginning its lazy circular scan of the exposed hillside and surroundings. Its cry is eerily melodic, slightly otherworldly and it makes me pause and listen – to what and for what I don’t know. But I too scan the scene with open eyes and anticipation.
Field Notes: These stairs at Junilla Street have been closed for several years. I remember coming here a few years back to participate in an Allegheny Cleanways clean-up – there was an enormous amount of trash and illegal dumping on the hillside. Unfortunately, lots of that dumping has returned. That seems to be the fate of quiet streets in underpopulated neighborhoods.
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!!
