Laura Zurowski/Mis.Steps
@mis-steps.bsky.social
A hardy fool, living on a hill. Photographing and writing about Pittsburgh's city steps, parks, playgrounds, and greenways. Hails from divine Providence, RI. See more at mis-steps.com/blog/.
Dungeon Crawler Carl! Not my typical read but friends have raved about it and I have to say it’s entertaining.
December 26, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Dungeon Crawler Carl! Not my typical read but friends have raved about it and I have to say it’s entertaining.
If you’re looking to get outside this holiday week, consider a visit! This is a great spot for comparing old vs. new maps and searching for the streets residents once traveled.
December 24, 2025 at 8:20 PM
If you’re looking to get outside this holiday week, consider a visit! This is a great spot for comparing old vs. new maps and searching for the streets residents once traveled.
With winding, packed-dirt trails, intentional landscaping of native plants, rustic yet comfortable occasional seating, and ample trail signage, it’s a joy to visit. The accolades this spot has received are well deserved, and there’s more to come in the years ahead.
December 24, 2025 at 8:18 PM
With winding, packed-dirt trails, intentional landscaping of native plants, rustic yet comfortable occasional seating, and ample trail signage, it’s a joy to visit. The accolades this spot has received are well deserved, and there’s more to come in the years ahead.
Reclaiming the space meant increased opportunities for job creation and recreation, environmental research and education, and the revitalization of a historic neighborhood. The work has progressed at a steady pace over, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that the transformation is miraculous.
December 24, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Reclaiming the space meant increased opportunities for job creation and recreation, environmental research and education, and the revitalization of a historic neighborhood. The work has progressed at a steady pace over, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that the transformation is miraculous.
Fortunately, in 2020, Hazelwood was selected for a pilot program that included financial support for improving social equity and climate resilience. This award was fantastic news because Hazelwood’s greenway, at 183 acres, is the second-largest in the City.
December 24, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Fortunately, in 2020, Hazelwood was selected for a pilot program that included financial support for improving social equity and climate resilience. This award was fantastic news because Hazelwood’s greenway, at 183 acres, is the second-largest in the City.
For almost 40 years, the program relied almost entirely on neighborhood volunteers. As a result, Greenways like Hazelwood’s became inaccessible and unappealing due to degraded conditions, invasive plant overgrowth, and a lack of signage.
December 24, 2025 at 8:14 PM
For almost 40 years, the program relied almost entirely on neighborhood volunteers. As a result, Greenways like Hazelwood’s became inaccessible and unappealing due to degraded conditions, invasive plant overgrowth, and a lack of signage.
With dwindling resources, the City needed a strategy to protect sensitive hillsides from opportunistic development, illegal dumping, and environmental degradation. The Greenways program was somewhat radical for its time because it created a new public space designation different from parks.
December 24, 2025 at 8:13 PM
With dwindling resources, the City needed a strategy to protect sensitive hillsides from opportunistic development, illegal dumping, and environmental degradation. The Greenways program was somewhat radical for its time because it created a new public space designation different from parks.
I wondered the same thing! I don’t have an answer but you might find the answer in the Pittsburgh City Archives. They would have the city council ordinances that approved constructing and naming streets. All of that is keyword searchable online.
December 22, 2025 at 3:00 AM
I wondered the same thing! I don’t have an answer but you might find the answer in the Pittsburgh City Archives. They would have the city council ordinances that approved constructing and naming streets. All of that is keyword searchable online.
And let's not forget that 1923 street map.... no baseball field yet! But the makings for it are there...
December 22, 2025 at 2:13 AM
And let's not forget that 1923 street map.... no baseball field yet! But the makings for it are there...
Regardless, there’s something about their presence that floods the field with decades of home run dreams. The tallest tree provides the play-by-play, and the resident squirrels add commentary. Everyone claps in support.
December 22, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Regardless, there’s something about their presence that floods the field with decades of home run dreams. The tallest tree provides the play-by-play, and the resident squirrels add commentary. Everyone claps in support.
I’m far enough away that I can’t hear their banter, but it sounds like everyone is having fun. Maybe the child is preparing for a school or city league team or practicing for an upcoming game. Or perhaps this is a family-time activity they do together on Saturday mornings when the weather is good.
December 22, 2025 at 2:07 AM
I’m far enough away that I can’t hear their banter, but it sounds like everyone is having fun. Maybe the child is preparing for a school or city league team or practicing for an upcoming game. Or perhaps this is a family-time activity they do together on Saturday mornings when the weather is good.
As I walk around admiring the exposed rock of the hillside and giant trees hovering over the field, a family of three appears. Dad takes the pitcher’s mound, Mom is the catcher, and what appears to be a 7 or 8-year-old child steps up to the plate with helmet and gloves, and batting practice begins.
December 22, 2025 at 2:06 AM
As I walk around admiring the exposed rock of the hillside and giant trees hovering over the field, a family of three appears. Dad takes the pitcher’s mound, Mom is the catcher, and what appears to be a 7 or 8-year-old child steps up to the plate with helmet and gloves, and batting practice begins.
Honored that City Steps of Pittsburgh resides in such good company! Thank you!
December 20, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Honored that City Steps of Pittsburgh resides in such good company! Thank you!
One of the best spots and I love that it has good sidewalks!
December 18, 2025 at 11:30 PM
One of the best spots and I love that it has good sidewalks!
And last but not least, let's look at the 1923 street map! Good to see the early twentieth century playground advocates had already made their mark in Hazelwood. Air quality was atrocious then but homes were small and cramped so having an outdoor space for recreation was important!
December 18, 2025 at 8:35 PM
And last but not least, let's look at the 1923 street map! Good to see the early twentieth century playground advocates had already made their mark in Hazelwood. Air quality was atrocious then but homes were small and cramped so having an outdoor space for recreation was important!
For those who love August Wilson and walking tours, I highly recommend August Wilson: Pittsburgh Places in His Life and Plays. The book explores key sites in the playwright’s life and work with easy-to-follow maps. Ideal for in-person walking or for virtual use with Google Street View!
December 18, 2025 at 8:30 PM
For those who love August Wilson and walking tours, I highly recommend August Wilson: Pittsburgh Places in His Life and Plays. The book explores key sites in the playwright’s life and work with easy-to-follow maps. Ideal for in-person walking or for virtual use with Google Street View!
I hope this space and the library are given the opportunity to transform. Like young August, potential can often be overlooked, but often, all that’s needed is a nudge or a nod to propel quietly held dreams.
December 18, 2025 at 8:29 PM
I hope this space and the library are given the opportunity to transform. Like young August, potential can often be overlooked, but often, all that’s needed is a nudge or a nod to propel quietly held dreams.
Today, the library Wilson credited with inspiring his dream of writing is in shambles, and the Lewis Playground, after removing its Dek hockey rink, looks unsettled. Still, there are a few picnic tables close to the small playground, and the bleachers now flank the basketball court.
December 18, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Today, the library Wilson credited with inspiring his dream of writing is in shambles, and the Lewis Playground, after removing its Dek hockey rink, looks unsettled. Still, there are a few picnic tables close to the small playground, and the bleachers now flank the basketball court.
The original Hazelwood Library on Monongahela Street is where Wilson discovered and voraciously read other Black writers, and Lewis Playground is where he played basketball; activities that brought connection and solace.
December 18, 2025 at 8:27 PM
The original Hazelwood Library on Monongahela Street is where Wilson discovered and voraciously read other Black writers, and Lewis Playground is where he played basketball; activities that brought connection and solace.
And I can't forget the 1923 street map! Despite the proximity to the many rail lines and the J&L mill, this area was already filled up with houses.
December 12, 2025 at 12:19 AM
And I can't forget the 1923 street map! Despite the proximity to the many rail lines and the J&L mill, this area was already filled up with houses.
In a few years, those “littles” will be tweens and teens, and they’ll need a fun and safe outdoor space to enjoy.
December 12, 2025 at 12:17 AM
In a few years, those “littles” will be tweens and teens, and they’ll need a fun and safe outdoor space to enjoy.