Trip #626 Rutherford Avenue, Beechview, Pittsburgh took place on August 15, 2021, and was published on August 23, 2021.
The streets climb… then fall. Climb… then fall. It feels endless, but it’s not. There are only a few iterations on this rollercoaster road, but the steady rhythm is oddly relaxing (despite the bodily demands such extreme elevation shifts bring). I look ahead to the crest of the hilltop. I look behind to the valley where I started. I’m flanked by comfortably nestled houses, all four-square brick or two-story bungalows, with an occasional raised ranch disrupting the visual continuity. Despite the physical challenge, it’s still a comfortable walk, and I wonder what view the next hilltop will bring—my eagerness and patience rise and fall along with these Beechview hills.
Field Notes: I’ve visited a few flights of city steps on the outskirts of Beechview but now I’m in the heart of the neighborhood – and what a crazy, roller coaster set of streets it has! The vibe is so close-knit and neighborhood-focused though. So many houses have flowers, plants, and carefully tended vines out front – very pretty (even if it’s a real workout to walk around!).
Love city steps? Get yourself the latest issue of Mis.Steps: Our Missed Connections with Pittsburgh’s City Steps! Each copy is unique and features 10 randomly selected “trading cards” of Pittsburgh’s 739 public stairways. Visit the Mis.Steps online store to see all issues and place your order.
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.
