Trip #45 Colmar Street, Upper Hill, Pittsburgh took place on September 30, 2017, and was published on October 16, 2017.
These aren’t stairs; these are step aerobics stairs. Remember step aerobics? The raised platform, the instructor, cheering you on, the energetic dance music blaring while you execute the step up step down moves? The upper Colmar steps don’t just take you DOWN to the Bernhardt alley; they provide a fitness challenge that requires your careful attention to where and how you take each step. The rhythm goes something like down two steps, up a step, down two steps, and so on and so on. It’s only 47 steps for the entire flight, but the unevenness of the sunken parts to the raised parts presents a level of attentional intensity some pedestrians may wish to avoid. Walking alongside the stairs on the grassy slope appears to be an easier choice!
Field Notes: Colmar Street has two flights of stairs. There is one that goes from Blessing to the mid-point (where the Bernhardt “alley” is) and then this section which goes from that section up to Balboa.
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!!
