Trip #8 North Homewood Avenue, Homewood North, Pittsburgh took place on June 17, 2017, and was published on July 21, 2017.
I hear the sounds of the kids, but they’re in their homes, their yards – not down the street hanging out on some random grassy slope in the parklet. A parklet. It seems a bit silly now, doesn’t it? So old-fashioned. If you were a kid, why would you want to sit on this little plot of earth and grass when you can be hanging out on a couch or a chair or a bed or a porch with toys and games and TV and music and all the other stuff we have to occupy our time. And just now, just as I’m thinking, Why do we cling to the idea of parklets? Two people come running through, just a few minutes apart. First, a teenage girl with turquoise sneakers carrying something in her hand and then a grown man, with a Terrible Towel over his head. He looks at me and says he can’t believe how hot it is. I agree, and he informs me that it’s not too hot to do what you gotta do and go where you gotta get to. And none of that involves sitting on a slope of land filled with dirt and grass.
Field Notes: Actually found this one earlier so it’s really trip #7. These appear to be well-traveled stairs and the grassy park next to it is cared for. Didn’t stay long with so many people going down them (and my being in their way…)
Want to visit these stairs? You can locate them on the Pittsburgh City Steps Plan website!
See the Risograph print of this photo and story in the Mis.Steps Shop.
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. If the location has an abundance of illegal dumping and trash, also contact Allegheny Cleanways, letting them know the location and the nature of the garbage. Thank you!!
