Trip #716 Orbin Street, Middle Hill, Pittsburgh took place on April 2, 2022, and was published on April 11, 2022.
We often talk with friends and family about the importance of “taking a stand.” We hear messages from leaders, pundits, and the media urging us not to lie back or sit still but to get up and take action now. And so encouraged, many of us rise to our feet. And this change is beneficial because, from our somewhat new and elevated viewpoint, we can better interpret and analyze our surroundings and our place within it all. When standing, we must take in the immediate, the middle ground, and the distance in order to orient ourselves and maintain balance. When in this position, it doesn’t hurt to ask yourself why you’re standing and take a good long 360-degree look at the internal landscape of your decision. Remembering that where you stand and who you’re standing with can be just as important as what you think you’re standing for.
Field Notes: The Orbin Street stairs are right at the top of Visit #715. It’s a quiet street these days, just a few homes are left, but it wasn’t all that long ago that this was a vibrant, bustling neighborhood. Maybe one day, like the spring flowers, it’ll make a comeback…
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.
