Trip #702 South 15th Street, Southside Slopes, Pittsburgh took place on March 6, 2022, and was published on March 9, 2022.
The modern-day dilemma of balancing how we care for others (family, workplace, community, and beyond) with caring for ourselves has spawned tens of thousands of self-help books, cable TV gurus, and internet discussion forums. While these support tools can be helpful, so many different opinions and choices can be overwhelming! In our hearts, we know we don’t need a bestselling book or stylized personality to tell us what to do. We know that overcommitting can result in injury, burnout, exhaustion, and a bitter mindset. Likewise, we know the pitfalls of leading a self-centered life disconnected from others. But what we often forget is that caring for ourselves and caring for others are interdependent and reciprocal actions. There will always be a give and take between the two, sometimes balanced, sometimes wildly asymmetrical, because it is through these experiences that we learn to cultivate compassion for ourselves and all the creatures of this world.
Field Notes: I had already visited many of the city steps that intersect with Pius Street (aka “The Church Route“), so I THOUGHT I had visited them all… but not so fast! There’s South 15th Street! This visit is the Southside Slopes side and the next visit will be the continuation on the other side of the railroad tracks in the Southside Flats.
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.
