Trip #401 Langraf Street, Spring Hill-City View, Pittsburgh took place on January 25, 2020, and was published on February 17, 2020.
The first thing I notice is the trash. It’s everywhere: on the street, the remains of sidewalks, and in front of houses both vacant and occupied. It’s as if the papers, bottles, boxes, and bags of unwanted household items poured over the neighborhood like a rainstorm. I walk along the stairs and street, taking my photos, and the disgust and harsh judgments that had initially blown through my brain soften into something else, something that feels like commiseration. My street and home are not in this little tucked-into-the-hillside neighborhood, but when I look out of my window, I also see trash scattered about the non-existent sidewalks and fronts of houses. Efforts to keep it clean never last long, and over the years, irritation has turned into resignation. I understand what it feels like to stop trying.
Field Notes: Litter was scattered all around this neighborhood – it makes the street look even gloomier. 🙁
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!!
