Wabash Park & Playground, West End, 104 Wabash Street
Hello, online hive mind! I’ve encountered something strange, mysterious, and slightly creepy that I need your help understanding. I recently discovered some puzzling constructions at the Wabash Park & Playground, a well-appointed space next to the West End Carnegie Library and Sawmill Run (the flowing body of water, not the flowing mass of vehicles). Sandwiched between the basketball court and the multi-purpose athletic field is a tree-shaded square dotted with a dozen knee-high tent-like metal structures (the strange part). Each structure has a “doorway” opening with heavy plastic flaps. Some of these flaps are torn, allowing one to peek inside (the creepy part). To the best of my ability and safety, I saw nothing but dead leaves and litter. The mysterious part involves short metal chains that connect each structure to nearby wooden planks. Of the 40-odd parks I’ve visited thus far, I’ve not seen anything like this. But, as every park is unique and its amenities are based on community input, this may be something uniquely West End. But what?
NOTE: The Pittsburgh experts on Instagram and Facebook informed me that this is a horseshoe pit! In fact, one person indicated that she had even played horseshoes there! Mystery solved. 🙂
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