Trip #27 Downing Street, Polish Hill, Pittsburgh took place on August 20, 2017, and was published on September 4, 2017.
Cross my heart and hope to die it looks like anarchy but on closer inspection, organized chaos is a better description. Heat comes down from above; damp rises from below. Broad green leaves stretch and unfurl; white blossoms burst open, each petal performing a perfect backbend. The woodsy musk of leaves and moss and decay slowly swirls the floral sweetness. Hovering, dancing, lightly bouncing over this Japanese Knotweed feast are the honeybees. Hundreds are diving in and out, in and out of the creamy blooms, pollen, nectar covering their bodies. The air pulses with the energy of a thousand beating wings, the humming drone fills my ears, and I am mesmerized by a hillside blanketed by tiny creatures collectively hovering, dancing, and lightly bouncing.
Field Notes: So much flowering knotweed and so many happy honeybees!! A bee “rave” was currently underway when I walked by. 🙂
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!!
