Trip #496 Clarence Street to Orlena Way, Duquesne Heights, Pittsburgh took place on September 13, 2020, and was published on October 2, 2020.
My travels along the city steps inspire these stories. However, once finished, the words and photos become a new form of travel – one that can be re-visited many times without ever returning to the physical location. On this particular trip to Greenleaf Street, a dandelion grows through the ruins of red brick city steps. The grass is green and has been growing over the sidewalk for years, but today it looks and smells freshly cut. That is my memory, my photograph, and my story. But by next week, the location will show the traveler something new and different. The flower will wither and die, the grass should get taller, litter might accumulate, and someone could come by and take a few bricks for their personal use. Many things have happened to this street since the stairs were built, and many more will occur in the future. But for this story, I will always travel back in time and re-live that moment.
Field Notes: This is a sidewalk steps flight that is pretty much gone – just a few spots where the bricks and asphalt remain. At least the strip of land is well-maintained!
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!
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.
