Trip #436 Emporia Street to Tybee Street, Sheraden, Pittsburgh took place on April 19, 2020, and was published on May 8, 2020.
On days like this, my mind has much in common with the sidewalk: we’re both choked with old leaves and assorted litter. There’s so much internal fog and external clutter that I’d never even realize the stairs were here if a little flash of red hadn’t jumped out from behind all that brown and grey. “Hey! You! Over here! Look! Look at me!” Breaking free from my stupor, I clear away the debris with my feet and soon unearth the brick risers of long-buried sidewalk steps. As I kick and sweep, I realize how much I need to give my mind a similar cleansing. Knowing that it’s possible to reclaim the good things obscured by the accumulated layers of yesterdays makes me feel a bit lighter and more focused.
Field Notes: This is the first sit steps flight I’ve seen that was constructed using red bricks. It’s hard to see the original as the street was re-paved and the sidewalk is all covered with dead leaves, but it appears to run the full length of the block.
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.
