Trip #30 Apollo Street, Polish Hill, Pittsburgh took place on September 9, 2017, and was published on September 11, 2017.
There’s a hint of fall in the air, and I can smell wood burning in someone’s stove. Melwood is quiet this afternoon and sounds from a distant football game travel over the hillside. The droning buzz of insects punctuated by a referee’s whistle and collective cries, groans, and cheers. It won’t be long before a team is declared the victor. High fives on one side and a slow walk back to the bus on the other.
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The new season brings about change. The summer haze has given way to blue skies and cotton ball clouds; the cool breeze feels motivating. I want this energy, this drive. I want to run the ball down the field. I want to be a winner in the big game today.
Field Notes: It’s been a few years since I’ve traveled this flight and it’s looking much better than I remember! Many of the crumbling steps have been filled in and the knotweed cut back. So much home improvement/fixing up/additions happening in this area of the neighborhood now.
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!!
