*Update 10/5/12 — congrats to “pittcurl” for winning the tickets! Giveaway now closed*
The other week, I was approached to take a tour of the South Side Slopes. Having lived in Pittsburgh for 15 years, I was aware of the Slopes, but never thought twice about them. I always just thought it was a bunch of houses stacked on top of each other above East Carson Street and the South Side. However, after spending two hours walking the tour and taking it all in, my perception on this area changed — I was in love.
My fellow Pittsburghers — have you had a chance to walk the steps up from the South Side flats to the slopes? Pittsburgh has the most steps in all cities (The “City of Bridges” is actually the “City of Steps.”) The city of Pittsburgh has 712 public stairways and 44,645 steps. Have you had a chance to take in the views up there? Learn about its rich history? And did you know from every angle, there’s a different view of the city? Well — you might want to check out StepTrek, happening this Saturday, October 6. I had a chance to do the tour already, but I’m also giving away two free tickets! See below for more info, but first…
…a bit more about StepTrek and the slopes (a lot is borrowed from Wikipedia):
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In many parts of the South Side Slopes, homes have views of the city from beyond McKees Rocks to Homestead
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400 of the staircases are considered legal roads and look like actual streets on maps (except maybe Apple maps, which are still in question #dumbtechnerdjoke)
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After the first settlers of the city came here, the South Side grew to keep up with the industrial boom. Rive banks came home to the iron and steel operations run by J&L Steel, which became Southside’s largest employer, and the majority of these workers settled into what’s now known as the South Slide Slopes (about 1910). The steps were built so people could easy walk up and down to work
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In its 12th year, the Pittsburgh StepTrek will begin Saturday, October 6. You can go any time between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting in South Side Park on the South Side. General admission is $9.99
- This family-friendly event allows each person to get a map and a course outline to take at their leisure. Proceeds benefit the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association (SSSNA), an all-volunteer organization with a mission to keep improvong this amazing neighborhood and provide a voice for residents. Primary areas of focus are public safety, beautification and development
- With the South Side Slopes having the greatest concentration of public stairs anywhere in the city, maintenance is critical.
I’ll let the rest of my pictures speak for themselves.
Thank you, Brian for leading my mom and me on the tour!
I highly recommend you stop by the event this Saturday and take it all in. Go as fast or as slow as you’d like, take in the scenery, the fall foilage, enjoy the history and take some photos. They’ll also be a band and refreshments along the way.
I’m also giving away two free tickets! Just “like” the South Side Slopes on Facebook and leave me a comment letting me know you did. I’ll choose a winner this Friday morning at 10 a.m. EST. Good luck! And enjoy our beautiful city.
Helpful links:
I “liked” the Slopes on Facebook!
I “liked” the Slopes on Facebook!
I did StepTrek last year and it was so great! Very interesting, and it was so fun exploring an area I never really have the chance to go to, despite living in the Flats. And I got a beer from a realtor who was having an open house, so that was a perk as well. I’m really sad I can’t go this year – everyone should enter for these tickets!
You can’t go wrong with a beer and an open house, either 🙂
I did StepTrek last year and it was so great! Very interesting, and it was so fun exploring an area I never really have the chance to go to, despite living in the Flats. And I got a beer from a realtor who was having an open house, so that was a perk as well. I’m really sad I can’t go this year – everyone should enter for these tickets!
You can’t go wrong with a beer and an open house, either 🙂
This sounds so awesome! How did I not already know about this?!
This sounds so awesome! How did I not already know about this?!
I liked the South Side Slopes Facebook page. I did all three Step Trek courses solo a few years ago, but am looking forward to introducing my wife to the tour and its majestic views for the first time this year.
I liked the South Side Slopes Facebook page. I did all three Step Trek courses solo a few years ago, but am looking forward to introducing my wife to the tour and its majestic views for the first time this year.
I liked the slopes FB page. I can’t wait to do my first step trek this year!
It’s your first StepTrek AND you won free tickets!! Congrats 🙂 Can you send me an email at deannaferrari@gmail.com and I’ll tell you how to redeem?
I liked the slopes FB page. I can’t wait to do my first step trek this year!
It’s your first StepTrek AND you won free tickets!! Congrats 🙂 Can you send me an email at deannaferrari@gmail.com and I’ll tell you how to redeem?
Deanna…. Thanks sooo much!!! It was amazing to see all sites and all those steps and hills!! More appreciation of Pittsburgh by doing that.
That’s awesome! So happy to hear it.
Deanna…. Thanks sooo much!!! It was amazing to see all sites and all those steps and hills!! More appreciation of Pittsburgh by doing that.
That’s awesome! So happy to hear it.