Trip #508 Plymouth Street to Oneida Street, Duquesne Heights, Pittsburgh took place on October 10, 2020, and was published on October 30, 2020.
When everyone is speeding by, it’s tempting to step on the gas and catch-up. When everyone is yelling, it’s exciting to shout even louder. When everyone is peddling gossip and doomsday prophesies, it’s exhilarating to add gasoline to the fire. And then, before we know it, we’re trapped in a cycle: go faster, yell louder, fan the flames of discontent even more. When does it ever stop? It won’t, until we stop it. Breaking the cycles of contempt and fear doesn’t happen by becoming the fastest, the loudest, or the most incendiary; it’s when we do the opposite. The chain reactions break when we stay calm and centered despite the madding crowd; when we choose to slow down, speak gently and kindly, and soothe rather than embroil. Perhaps, by setting an example, those around us will do the same.
Field Notes: This sidewalk step flight travels down a fairly steep street. It’s clearly not used much (if at all) these days. In some places, it has completely fallen away and in others, the red bricks beneath the concrete show.
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.
