Turn left and ascend 49 steps to Arlington Ballfield & Spray Park. Give yourself a pat on the back! You’ve reached the highest point on this route.
StepTrek Route: Black Route 2023
Black/East Route 2023
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Fernleaf St.
Take left and climb Fernleaf. On the right at Eccles St. is the former Engine House #22 which was established in 1894. From its roof tower, the view covered several surrounding neighborhoods and provided an ideal lookout for smoke and fires. When ready, continue to Fort Hill St. & Steps.
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* Brashear Association & Kaufmann Neighborhood House
The Brashear Association was founded in 1917 to honor the renowned, self-taught scientist John A. Brashear and celebrate his humanitarianism. The Henry Kaufmann Neighborhood House was constructed in 1965 as an outreach site. Brashear Association supports and enriches families in a community context to build more vital lives and neighborhoods in South Pittsburgh. The building also houses Arlington Community Center.
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Salisbury St.
Turn right and continue past Brashear Association & Kaufmann Neighborhood House to Fernleaf St.
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* Arlington Recreation Center Mural
The South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association is currently working with a local artist to add a mural to the East-facing wall along the trail. The mural will provide a more inviting entrance to South Side Park from the hilltop neighborhoods and will help deter future vandalism. Look for it to be painted in the Spring of 2024.
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Salisbury Connector Trail
From the overlook, follow the paved trail a short distance to the sign post for the Salisbury Connector trail. Turn left and walk dirt trail. About 40 feet in is a second sign post. To its left are 26 steps. Climb them and turn left to rejoin the trail. Continue up hill. Keep right where the trail forks behind Arlington Recreation Center. Climb the 11 steps along the side of the building to Salisbury St.
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* Sterling Connector Trail
The trail was designed and built in collaboration with the Student Conservation Association. Funded by a 2015 Birmingham Foundation grant, the trail connects the eastern and western halves of South Side Park in this area known as Jurassic Valley. Landforce constructed both the Salisbury Connector Trail and Sterling Connector Trail in 2016. SCA and Slopes volunteers cleared a significant amount of land to cut across the steep terrain.
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Sterling Connector Trailhead
Turn left to join the trail. Continue along top rim of trail to a paved lane with commanding view of the park. Efforts over the last few years have cleared invasive vines and weeds and planted trees and flower beds.
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Sterling St. Steps
Make right. Built in 1951, the steps connect to Patterson St. above and Mission St. below. Descend 31 steps to sign marking Sterling Connector Trailhead.
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Berg St. Steps
Descend these 43 wooden steps constructed in 1997. They drop you onto Sterling St. steps.