Turn left and walk along the left side of Josephine St. On the opposite side is a “Guerilla Garden” planted and maintained by residents to beautify the neighborhood. Continue past Emerald Art Glass. Its shop is open to the public during week days. Decorative glass is made on site for both residential and commercial use. Continue to Greeley St.
StepTrek Route: Black Route 2024
Black/East Route 2024
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Eleanor St.
Make right and descend Eleanor St. steps on left side of street. These 16 steps were poured in 2000.
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Leticoe St.
Continue up Leticoe. In the 2500 block, before the hill crest, look right to the houses tucked behind houses. Close quarters! Continue down Leticoe to Eleanor St.
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Leticoe St Steps
Cross Barry St. to Leticoe St. Steps. These 3-ft. wide wooden steps were rebuilt by the City of Pittsburgh in the summer of 2021. Descend the 69 stairs to Leticoe St.
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Stella St
Go ahead . . . give it your best Marlon Brando: STELLA! Make right, keeping the metal fencing that divides the road on your right. In 1935 the Work Projects Administration (WPA) terraced this part of the hillside and created the bi-level street topped with an iron fence. In 1998 Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation designated the Stella-Shelley fence as a historically significant landmark. Take in the view of Mt. Washington and downtown. Walk down Stella to Barry & Leticoe St. Steps.
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Oakley Way Steps (cont’d)
Keep left and climb an additional 22 steps to upper Stella St.
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Shelly St.
Beginning at 2700 Shelly are three of eight townhouses built in 2003 by the South Side Local Development Company in cooperation with the SSSNA. The new homes had to be shoe-horned into the hillside between existing homes. Continue walking Up Oakley Way.
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* Mosaic Public Art Project
The Oakley St. Steps mosaic was completed in 2016 and was the first of its kind in Pittsburgh. The installation was designed by artist Laura Jean McLaughlin, who led a group of 100 community volunteers in assembling the tiny mosaics on mesh. The finished work, affectionately titled “South Side Schlumpy Funk,” covers 200 square feet and were mortared and grouted onto 77 risers. Led by SSSNA, the project was community-designed, funded and created.
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Oakley Way & Mosaic Steps
Ahead are the Mosaic Steps! Take care crossing Josephine St. on the left side of S. 27th. As you climb the first 98 stairs, the colorful image of a young woman with a single flower reveals itself against a backdrop of homes, hills and wildlife. The steps themselves were built in 1928. Notice the foundations of long gone houses on the left as you climb. Continue across McCord St. and ascend an additional 63 steps to Shelly St. Take a break. You’ve just climbed the equivalent of 12 floors.
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S. 27th St.
Make left and continue along S. 27th to E. Carson St. Cross and continue along S. 27th toward South Side Slopes, Oakley Way & Mosaic Steps.