StepTrek Route: Gold Route 2022

Continue along Pius toward town. The former convent at 66 Pius Street, on the left, is now a condominium complex. The building was once part of St. Michael Parish. You’ll make a right on S. 15th St., but here is some background on the parish.

Just past 107 Pius St., overlooking South Side Flats, is the small, but tidy All Wars Memorial, which is maintained by Slopes’ residents. Tucked behind a gate and row of shrubs, the site honors members of the community who served their country. State Elm Street funds permitted extensive improvements that included landscaping, fencing, sidewalks and new flagstone. The renovations were completed and memorial rededicated on September 11, 2007.

Continue along left side of Pius. Signs of prior commercial use on ground floor storefronts dot the street, as seen at 178 Pius, a restaurant and former social club, and 126 Pius, which once housed a neighborhood bakery. Signage throughout the Slopes points out public stairs such as S. 18th St. Steps, located before 107 Pius St.

Cross S. 18th St. at light to Pius St. on the opposite side.

Under the bridge towering over StepTrek registration and Marketplace are the Mission St. Steps. You’ll find them under the left side of the bridge. Climb a total of 102 steps to the intersection of Mission St. and S. 18th St.

Efforts continue to reclaim a 64 acre park that extends from Josephine St. below to the heights of the Slopes. In this wooded hillside are streams, ball fields and footpaths. Volunteers have removed invasive plants and helped build its trails. Helping trim the aggressive knotweed and vines are a small herd of bovids, brought in for a few weeks as part of the Annual Goat Fest. With funding from The Brashear Association, South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association partnered with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Landforce and the Student Conservation Association to create this neighborhood asset. Friends of South Side Park manages its ongoing work.

You are standing at the top of S. 21st St. in South Side Park. Begin by walking toward Mission St. Bridge.

If joining from the Black/East Route, begin with #5. * Denotes history or significant site.