Laura Zurowski/Mis.Steps's Avatar

Laura Zurowski/Mis.Steps

@mis-steps

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/.

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12.11.2024
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Latest posts by Laura Zurowski/Mis.Steps @mis-steps

Why are some of the neighborhoods combined and others not?

12.03.2026 12:25 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Oh yes! My vote of one agrees 100%. Curiosity and emotional connection are powerful drivers and important reminders when energy dips. Thank you.

12.03.2026 12:10 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Good question- I do not know!

06.03.2026 02:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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And back in 1923 this spot was already a City owned playground as the space was adjacent to the Fort Pitt Public School (which closed in 2011 and has been the subject of many conversations about re-use).

05.03.2026 16:07 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A gator missing a tail rides in a pull wagon with the words Gators spelled out on the side.

A gator missing a tail rides in a pull wagon with the words Gators spelled out on the side.

As March unfolds, the days get longer and warmer. Wipe away those winter blues and get outside. Youโ€™re a mammal, not a reptile. โค๏ธ๐ŸŠโค๏ธ

05.03.2026 16:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Polaroid of the city steps that lead up to Fort Pitt Field.

Polaroid of the city steps that lead up to Fort Pitt Field.

For those who enjoy neighborhood walks, Garfield is great because you get amazing views, plenty of city steps (thatโ€™s how you reach the views), and a fun main street district with shops, food and drink, and random curiosities.

05.03.2026 15:58 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Gators written on the side of the storage building at Fort Pitt Feld.

Gators written on the side of the storage building at Fort Pitt Feld.

That longevity means multi-generational players and alumni, so itโ€™s no surprise that Fort Pitt Field is a busy spot July through October, with summer camps, practice sessions, games, and championship playoffs. And yes, it is possible to hear the cheers of the fans all the way downhill on Penn Ave.

05.03.2026 15:57 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Fort Pitt Field Home of the Gators sign on the fence around the football field.

Fort Pitt Field Home of the Gators sign on the fence around the football field.

Started in 1993 by five friends who believed that neighborhood adults needed to do more to build positive relationships with kids and teens, the Gators and Gatorettes have been a force for nearly 35 years.

05.03.2026 15:55 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Polaroid of a Gators mural at Fort Pitt Field in Garfield.

Polaroid of a Gators mural at Fort Pitt Field in Garfield.

If youโ€™ve ever walked around Garfield and noticed the alligator murals, itโ€™s because youโ€™ve entered the territory of the legendary Garfield โ€˜Gators, the beloved youth football team. ๐Ÿงต

05.03.2026 15:54 ๐Ÿ‘ 4 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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A Visit to... Fort Pitt Park, Garfield Pittsburgh's Parks, Playgrounds, and Trails

If youโ€™ve ever walked around Garfield and noticed the alligator murals, itโ€™s because youโ€™ve entered the territory of the legendary Garfield โ€˜Gators who play at Fort Pitt Field. Full text and all photos (without the threads), are available here: pghgreenandgray.substack.com/p/a-visit-to...

05.03.2026 15:53 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Same here! Itโ€™s quite a lovely spot.

05.03.2026 13:07 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Care about sidewalk conditions in Pittsburgh? Read this thread and consider signing up for the next training session. Iโ€™ve collected sidewalk data in my neighborhood and so can you!

05.03.2026 01:50 ๐Ÿ‘ 6 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Always be kind

04.03.2026 07:36 ๐Ÿ‘ 62 ๐Ÿ” 18 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

If youโ€™re someone who likes buying audiobooks, Libro.fm is great. As an FYI, City Steps of Pittsburgh: A History & Guide was released as an audiobook last week. Great way to enjoy the dozen guided historical walking tours! ๐Ÿ˜‰

02.03.2026 18:36 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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"We didn't know how quiet the world used to be... until the noise never stopped" N. Johnson

Might take a bit of work nowadays to find the quiet but, that doesnโ€™t mean itโ€™s not out there.
Geaux outside, keep going;
โœŒ๐Ÿฝโค๏ธ๐ŸŒฒ๐ŸŒŽ

#runningpunks #photography #graffiti #streetart #nature #run

01.03.2026 19:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 22 ๐Ÿ” 2 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
1923 map of the area - densely populated and containing the Osceola Elementary School.

1923 map of the area - densely populated and containing the Osceola Elementary School.

In a neighborhood that grows increasingly taller, wider, louder, and more modern by the year, the unseen, underground mechanicals often operate at the opposite end of the spectrum. The juxtaposition prompts a chuckle as I watch the birds frolic in the puddles. ๐Ÿชถ

01.03.2026 17:33 ๐Ÿ‘ 4 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Vintage spray park equipment that runs/leaks continuously.

Vintage spray park equipment that runs/leaks continuously.

Thereโ€™s also an โ€œoriginalโ€ (perhaps vintage 1990s?) spray park feature and fountain, complete with leaking fixtures. ๐Ÿ˜˜

01.03.2026 17:30 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Osceola Parklet sign and bench.

Osceola Parklet sign and bench.

Old iron fence from the days when Osceola Elementary School was on the land.

Old iron fence from the days when Osceola Elementary School was on the land.

Here, youโ€™ll find ample shade trees, a mix of play equipment, fenced-in athletic courts, and lots of benches along the paths connecting it all. In a nod to the distant past, when Osceola Elementary occupied this space, thereโ€™s an old iron fence.

01.03.2026 17:29 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Polaroid of the bench and play equipment at Osceola Park.

Polaroid of the bench and play equipment at Osceola Park.

Osceola Park is a little gem tucked between the back side of the Bloomfield post office and the Baum Boulevard commercial corridor. Itโ€™s one of those places youโ€™d miss if you stayed on the main roads, and that would be a shame, because the park and its neighborhood offer plenty of old-school charm.๐Ÿงต

01.03.2026 17:27 ๐Ÿ‘ 10 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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A Visit to... Osceola Park, Bloomfield Pittsburgh's Parks, Playgrounds, and Trails

Osceola Park in Bloomfield is an old-school gem tucked between two bustling commercial corridors. Full text and all photos, including a bit of "vintage" spray park equipment (without the threads), are available here: pghgreenandgray.substack.com/p/a-visit-to...

01.03.2026 17:25 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Why is Crawford Roberts included in Central Business District? They are separate neighborhoods.

25.02.2026 20:35 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Polaroid of swings at Heth's Park.

Polaroid of swings at Heth's Park.

As Hethโ€™s is a short distance from the beautiful and abundant amenities of Highland Park, itโ€™s a nice surprise to see people here. While Pittsburghโ€™s large regional parks are wonderful, sometimes a small neighborhood park offers a more familiar, comfortable experience. Whatโ€™s a little mud anyway? ๐Ÿ˜‰

25.02.2026 15:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 5 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Do not buy pesticides laminated poster made by a child.

Do not buy pesticides laminated poster made by a child.

Please return chalk sign and chalk bucket.

Please return chalk sign and chalk bucket.

On the afternoon of my visit, a man hits golf balls in the baseball field, two teens anxiously scour the ground around the basketball court for something, and a woman with a toddler explores the playground.

25.02.2026 14:58 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Heth's Park sign.

Heth's Park sign.

Playground at Heth's Park.

Playground at Heth's Park.

In the meantime, when itโ€™s not muddy and mucky, Hethโ€™s Park and Playground attracts visitors. ๐Ÿ™‚

25.02.2026 14:57 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
1923 map showing the area known as Heth's (Haights) Valley - nothing was built there for good reason!

1923 map showing the area known as Heth's (Haights) Valley - nothing was built there for good reason!

As a result, Hethโ€™s Run Valley is now 70-80 feet higher than its original level. Unfortunately, though, everyone learned the hard way that a buried stream is still a stream, and today the area is plagued by water and sewer overflow problems. Many groups are still trying to coordinate solutions.

25.02.2026 14:56 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
1905 City Photographer Collection photograph of water and sewer lines through Heth's / Haights Run.

1905 City Photographer Collection photograph of water and sewer lines through Heth's / Haights Run.

Before industrialization, a stream known as Hethโ€™s (Haights) Run flowed to the Allegheny River, forming a natural boundary between what is today Highland Park and Morningside. Over the years, the stream and valley were filled to support infrastructure, including water and sewer lines and a bridge. ๐Ÿงต

25.02.2026 14:51 ๐Ÿ‘ 4 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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A Visit to... Hethโ€™s Park, Highland Park/Morningside Pittsburgh's Parks, Playgrounds, and Trails

Heth's Park in Morningside/Highland Park is where everyone learned the hard way that a buried stream is still a stream.๐Ÿ˜ฎโ€๐Ÿ’จFull text and all photos, including a beautiful image from the City Photographer Collection, (without the threads) is available here: pghgreenandgray.substack.com/p/a-visit-to...

25.02.2026 14:48 ๐Ÿ‘ 6 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Our first Neighborhood Walk of 2026 - March 21st in Bloomfield - in partnership with Bloomfield Livable Streets and Two Frays Brewery ๐Ÿ’š

Register: secure.everyaction.com/wuGDq8v1xESw-jeMHFXeIA2

24.02.2026 14:01 ๐Ÿ‘ 8 ๐Ÿ” 4 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Good to see the ยดbucket represented!

25.02.2026 12:49 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Advocacy Workshops - BikePGH Advocacy Workshops Upcoming Live Trainings We regularly lead training workshops to teach new and seasoned advocates alike the skills you need to be successful when campaigning for more bikeable and walkable communities. More will be on the calendar soon! How to Influence the City Budget & Win Concrete Change Thursday, Febuary 19 @ 6:00 PM

Want to get involved in biking and walking advocacy? Check this out:

๐Ÿš€ This Thurs. Feb. 26: Intro to Bike/Ped Advocacy & Advocacy Booster (Virtual)

bikepgh.org/advocacy-workshops

22.02.2026 22:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 3 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1