Trip #448 Balfour Street, Elliott, Pittsburgh took place on May 17, 2020, and was published on June 8, 2020.
When we walk the city steps, we follow the paths of those who have come before us: the workers, the children, the mothers with their babies. Thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of thoughts and prayers, hopes and dreams, sorrows and anxieties are infused in the concrete, stone, and steel that carried them every day. The hillsides hold their voices and songs, laughter, and cries. It doesn’t take much imagination to conjure up the conversations and concerns of these ancestors. Chances are, they were very much like our own. Will I have enough money to pay that bill? Should I agree to go out on a date with him or her? When will that pain in my knee go away? To the uninitiated, visiting the stairs may appear to be a very solitary and lonely activity. But when you’re there, staring at the skyline or marveling at trees occupying spaces where homes once stood, you quickly realize you’re never truly alone, and the silence surrounding you is full of answers.
Field Notes: This is a two-part flight. The first segment coming up from Steuben is perfectly fine. The second segment going up to Lander is closed. However, the second segment is a real beauty.
See the Risograph print of this photo and story in the Mis.Steps Shop.
Want to visit these stairs? You can locate them on the Pittsburgh City Steps Plan website!
Like watching videos? Check out PCTV21’s 100 Things to Do in Pittsburgh YouTube channel. Hosted by author and journalist Rossilynne Culgan, there’s even an episode where she interviews me about City Steps. When you want to start planning warm-weather excursions, this series will do you right.
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.
