Trip #651 Alverado Avenue, Beechview, Pittsburgh took place on October 8, 2021, and was published on October 20, 2021.
June through October is both the best time and the worst time for exploring city steps. It’s the best because the temperature is generally decent, the weather conditions favorable, and there are more daylight hours. The only real downside is that these favorable conditions contribute to an explosion of invasive greenery throughout our abandoned hillsides and empty lots. Seeing all that verdant plant life makes it hard to imagine that at one time, Pittsburgh’s landscape was stripped bare. When the oldest city steps were built, they traversed areas with nary a tree in sight. I try to recall historical photos and imagine how residents inhabited these spaces 100 years ago, but it’s a difficult task, June through October. Then, as November appears, the heavy frosts fall, the Japanese knotweed lies dormant, and the trees drop their leaves. More of the past is exposed to view. And for that, it’s worth wearing a winter coat and hat.
Field Notes: I really wish I had been able to get to the bottom of this flight as I think there’s an orphan house further down the hillside. Over the winter I’ll try to come back and see how it looks. While some plants are dying off, right now there’s still too much overgrowth to safely travel alone.
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.
