Trip #413 Litchfield Street, Crafton Heights, Pittsburgh took place on February 24, 2020, and was published on March 16, 2020.
As I sit on the stairs, looking at someone’s backyard, the memory of my baby brother taking his first steps in the backyard where we grew up enters my mind. While he didn’t yet have a full vocabulary, his unabashed enthusiasm at independently navigating the grassy terrain expressly conveyed, “I’m doing it! I’m walking! I’m high-stepping-arms-flailing walking! Here I go!” As our excitement about walking fades, it’s replaced by the challenge of acquiring more complex skills: riding a bike, climbing a jungle gym, learning to swim, or catching, throwing, and kicking balls of various sizes. As adults, we often discard the physical activities of our childhood. We don’t have time. We lose our speed, coordination, or stamina. We just want to relax on the couch. But when the opportunity presents itself to get on a bike, re-learn those dance moves you once spent hours perfecting, or cannonball off a diving board, seize it, and re-discover that wide-eyed, exuberant grin of the child that still lives inside.
Field Notes: First trip out to the West End! This stairway didn’t look so good in Google Street view but upon visiting, I discovered it’s fine and perfectly clear.
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.
