Trip #588 Newett Street, Carrick, Pittsburgh took place on May 14, 2021, and was published on May 21, 2021.
RIP Marty Martin is scrawled in dark green spray paint on the sidewalk, and there’s something about the lettering that first grabs my attention and then my heart. The message is not elegantly or stylishly executed. If anything, the writer appears uncomfortable, uncertain, and unfamiliar with both the letters and their chosen tool. It makes me wonder if Marty was a boyfriend, a son, a brother, or a father who met an untimely end – maybe a shooting, an overdose, or a fatal stroke or heart attack. But those scenarios don’t quite fit with this humble, almost hidden memorial. Perhaps instead, Marty was a friend, a loyal friend who enjoyed walks and tennis balls and chasing squirrels despite living very close to a very busy street. RIP Marty Martin. Someone remembers you and loves you. #allgooddogsgotoheaven
Field Notes: The sidewalk steps might be almost completely obscured but there was something otherworldly about the image that made me decide not to take another shot. It was a super sunny day so that also had something to do with the overexposure.
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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.
