Trip #47 Andover Terrace to Dakota Street, Upper Hill, Pittsburgh took place on October 1, 2017, and was published on October 20, 2017.
Open drainage gates are kind of creepy – especially when they’re raised, rusted and old. From across the street, I stare at this portal to the sewers, the entry to the underworld. I think about falling in. I think about scary creatures and slimy things climbing out. I think about dropping my keys, my phone, my camera, my bag – into a pit so deep I never hear the “thud” or “splash” of impact. Glug. Slurp. A giant dark mouth waiting and wanting to suck everything into its cavernous belly, never to see sunlight again. Am I brave enough to get closer? Am I brave enough to look into the belly of the beast and see “what lies below”? (Visit our Flickr page for the answer!)
Field Notes: This is a stairway/sidewalk that runs along the road and up around the corner to Dakota. It’s starting to sink in places and there is a very large, raised, and scary drainage grate across the street!
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!!
