I am attempting to hike all of Pittsburgh city steps. Among the logistical challenges of finding the steps, hiking them, I have to try and not get killed by tumbling down a set of them. Why am I doing this? Lots of reasons...keep reading.
Crafton heights...what can I really say? It was a neighborhood, it bordered Crafton (it still borders Crafton) it had the BEST steps ever...(that's not true). Straka street is pure magic. Many city steps are blunt. They take you as quickly as possible to the bus stops or whatever. But straka street feels like a walk in the park. It's long but not difficult. Each step is separated by 3 or 4 feet (sometimes more) of flat, easybreezy sidewalk. And it's in the woods. Completely shaded. And it's well maintained. And it's in good shape. And it's....just go there.
Other parts of Crafton heights aren't quite as pristine but the allure remains. Clairhaven street is abandoned along the steps. Two houses sit as silent sentinel to the neglect of the past. They are beautiful, hidden monuments to the temporary. As vines invade, windows break, wood siding fades, and encroaching tree limbs sway to bring their kin in clabber board to earth; its final resting place....did I just write a poem? Shit.
Lincoln place is south of the city bordering Munhall, Hays, and bum #*%¿ Egypt. It's not as stark as I describe it and it's damn near convenient transportation-wise. My only qualm is that it sits, completely isolated from the rest of Pittsburgh proper, in its own little world. I always lamented Lincoln Place doing my research because of how far removed it is. Its not practical for me to drive out there for its four sets of steps, when I have to go to work every day, slaving over a hot espresso machine, with no respect from anyone, and now the kids need money for summer basketball at the rec center...I mean, schools aht, I need em aht of my hair, I have a life too n'at...I list my train of thought...
Anyway, but, as I've said a million times by now, I've been pleasantly surprised. if you must live in Pittsburgh (city proper) Lincoln place is perfect. Ok, they don't have a lot, but it's a spit away from the waterfront, the Southside, and the country. The homes are modest but they all have actual YARDS! By that I mean your neighbors house isn't touching yours. There's about ten/fifteen feet betwixt yinz. Prefect for the gardener. It was quiet, peaceful, everything...
Along Route 8 by the 62nd Street Bridge, there are a few great sets of steps. They are very hard to find though.
This is Dressing Way. I like to think of it as Ranch Dressing Way. There certainly was enough greenery to make a salad.
This is the Baker St steps...mmmmm baked goods. I was very hungry during the trek today and these names didn't help.
I also found a set that I didn't know existed. It leads from Butler to Sawyer Street. It wasn't on the maps I researched but there it was, all 87 rungs and in great shape too.
Here is what else I saw.
And of course I revisited the 57th St. steps. The longest albeit half closed.
There are around half a dozen abandoned homes up along the way. Maybe if the hipsters knew they existed, they'd snatch them up and revitalize them. Oh wait, you can't get there on a fixed gear bicycle...never mind.
It's not the best picture but it was the best I could do.
These are the Bohem Street Steps. They fall down the hillside from South Oakland toward the Parkway East (376). At one point in time there once was a pedestrian bridge that carried travelers over and down to Second Avenue. People always mention these steps to me and I have long yearned of hiking them. Alas, they are far too treacherous. This is the top at Bohem Street right by the Frazier Street Park.
As you can see, definitely not safe. Like so many other sets in the city. Since the demolition of the old steel mills that once riddled the Monongahela valley, a new industry has sprung up. The tech industry. Carnegie Mellon has spanking new research facilities, 3M has offices, among others. (forgive me for not knowing more details). Second Ave leading to Hazelwood has become the "Technology Corridor". Expansion is growing ever further up river and recently, the Hazelwood branch of the three rivers heritage trail has been undergoing some refurbishment. I think it would be perhaps prudent for these tech companies to foster a Bohem St. Steps revitalization effort. It would be a direct link from the universities. They may even be able to highlight its design by installing a lighting scheme. I can dream.
The Hazelwood trail is very interesting. It's pile on pile of rubble form the old industrial buildings that once stood here. There is an old round house which appears to be in use still.
...among other things
And there was another building. It was HUGE!!!
And guess what else I found? More steps.
It would appear that this set comes down from up yonder in Greenfield. If my calculations are correct, this set is one big mama. I do believe it is the continuation of Noah Street. Upon closer inspection, there are still steps on that hillside. These ones could be freaking awesome. I'm going to have to getup there and find out...
In closing, Hazelwood is a ghost-like remnant of Pittsburgh's past. The trail is very accessible and I recommend a trip out there ASAP. Some things you just have to see for yourself to understand.
Point Breeze is a smarmy neighborhood in the East End. (I say that word affectionately) From this point on, I am being very sarcastic so hold on tight.
Some fun demographics for ya to get the ball rolling...
89.5% white
median household income $90,000 per year
50% Voted for Romney (probably)
So I'll begin by saying it was 90 degrees and I chose to wear all black (my beloved "I love bacon" T shirt). I parked my 1995 acclaim right in front of a big mansion.
It's OK, it didn't look suspicious because of all the landscaper's vehicles and there were literally dozens.
I don't think anyone was home in these large mansions, and if they were, they were probably still sleeping or having Brunch brought onto their respective verandas. In Point Breeze, Brunch happens not just on Sunday. Point Breeze is Pittsburgh's "The Hamptons." I imagine Ina Garten sauntering around a huge kitchen making snacks for her gay friends.
"Clayton" the home of Henry Clay Frick is here. (don't watch the whole video...it's pointless.
So yeah, most of the homes here are basically the same with the exception of the charming commercial district on Reynolds and Hasting St.
Point Brugge Cafe is pretty much the best restaurant in Pittsburgh in my opinion. And the Make Your Mark Coffee Shop and Art Space with its superfluous name once employed the infamous Sharon Needles; The Winner of Ru Paul's Drag Race Season 4. She also just got kicked out of Vienna for making a Nazi joke or something like that.
So anyway, city steps. Point breeze has some. I imagine they were only in use for the "help" to get to work at the many mansions.
did I mansion there are lots of mansions?
So yeah...the steps are barely worth the mention...speaking of Worth....this is worth street.
There...done.
In all seriousness, I'd be honored to live in Point Breeze. I'd also probably be very privileged from birth, not appreciate the money my family worked hard to hoard, and also be a republican asshole. No offense. But I really did see a lot of Romney Stickers.
Formerly known as Herr's Island after Benjamin Herr whom once owned it. It was a post industrial brownfield until the late 80s when the band, Starship, swooped in and "built this city" on top of the rock and roll that was left there once the roll dump had closed. (Ever wonder what happens to the uneaten bread sticks from the Olive Garden..?) Ok, that's not true. But George Washington once capsized his boat in the Allegheny and spent the night on the Island. That part really did happen. How cool do you have to be to clumsily tip a boat over and dry off on the shore and they still want to name the whole Island after you? Now the Island is home to town homes, some office complex, lovely trails, and the Three Rivers Rowing Association. Of which I am not involved in.
Literally hundreds of boats fill its boat houses and the association has won numerous awards over the years since its inception. It is truly a beautiful place to go put a boat in the water.
The other strange thing about Washington's Landing is the rabbits. There are thousands of them if I had to guess. I took a small stroll along the river while we waited for our turn to start rowing and in the mere 100 yards or so I counted over 20 wild rabbits just lounging around completely unafraid of humans it seemed.
I'm guessing it's because the damned things multiply so quickly...that and the fact that they are stuck on an island with no natural predators. Ummmmmmm they should host an Easter egg hunt here. It would be epic.
So yeah, I don't just do steps people. I am on a rowing team now. See? well rounded.
Just thought I'd throw that last candid shot of some random guy scraping duck poop off his running shoes in there. It makes me chuckle. You won't be seeing that in the brochure.
