Trip #634 Jillson Street, Brookline, Pittsburgh took place on August 22, 2021, and was published on September 13, 2021.
On my walks through Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods, it’s always a joy to find sidewalk chalk drawings. Sometimes, a message is communicated loud and clear. Other times, my untrained eye can’t identify anything beyond pastel-colored squiggles and smudges. “What could be the story behind this collection of circles, lines, and squares?” I ask myself. I feel a bit like an archaeologist stumbling upon a cave painting or stone carving! While the drawing may or may not be complex and detailed, what matters most is that a person, large or small, knelt on the concrete and carefully (or not) selected blue over yellow or green instead of pink and began to tell a story. But unlike the hieroglyphics preserved in museums, sidewalk stories melt away the moment rain sprinkles down or someone waters the flowers. But just because it all disappears before you discover its meaning, there’s no cause for worry – it won’t be long before a new box of chalk, and a dry sidewalk, beckons the storytellers outdoors.
Field Notes: This short sidewalk flight ends at a house with a colorful front porch and entrance! Lots of fun arts and crafts examples all over the yard. It looks like a fun place to live. 🙂
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.
