Trip #653 Bayonne Avenue, Beechview, Pittsburgh took place on October 17, 2021, and was published on October 27, 2021.
Our general association with the word “abandon” is negative. While we may feel compassion for a person or object left in this condition, we rarely have difficulty assigning traits of selfishness, lack of concern, or irresponsibility to anyone who engages in such an act. Outrage is particularly easy when we view abandonment as something other people do. But the fact is, we all engage in this behavior to a certain degree; it’s just that we tend to refer to it as “self-preservation” when it’s applied to our own actions. Who hasn’t turned away from something thought to be poisonous and detrimental to our well-being? Who hasn’t intentionally ignored signs, symptoms, or knowledge because we weren’t ready to accept their meanings? Here in Pittsburgh, we don’t have to look far to see the implications of abandonment. And it’s easy to recall moments when our hot-blooded judgments are correct and justified. But other times, what’s left behind may represent an act of self-preservation undertaken with great courage or abandon. With other people’s lives, we can never know for sure.
Field Notes: This wooden flight clearly had some updates in more recent years but it doesn’t really “go” anywhere any longer. The house at the top is all boarded up – a bit sad as it’s a cute little bungalow – and whatever homes once dotted the hillside are long gone. However, someone is caring for the yard that runs alongside the top portion of the stairs so the overgrowth is only at the bottom.
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.
