Here are three runs from Labor Day Weekend, 2022. Each one targeted a specific street or alley; Ceres Way, South Scroll Way and Library Road.
This section of the city is a mystery to me. I don’t understand why it hasn’t become more upscale, or at least better taken care of. The location is decent, just east of Mt. Washington, with public transportation. It has great views, especially from Grandview Park. There’s a lively little business area. In some cities, Allentown would be prime, multi-million dollar real estate, but here it is a rather ragged collection of homes and garages. Can Allentown be rejunvenated without being gentrified?
But enough editorializing. I started on Bailey near Grandview Park, where I can always find a place to park, then turned down Beltzhoover Avenue and took a right onto Eureka Street.
I hopped onto Ceres Way, determined to follow it to the very end. There were smiley faces on garages and cool cars, but it all ended unceremoniously in a patch of weed-encroached asphalt. Later in the Fall, this would have a nice view of the Mon.
Wrapping around to Grandview Park was more fun. Lots of views and activities.
And that was it, one mile in a skyhigh neighborhood.
While the previous run down Ceres Way was on a cloudy and humid day, this run, the next day, was a washout. It was to finish up South Scroll Way in Brookline. Where is South Scroll Way, anyway?
South Scroll Way is a little upper-cut of an alley between Glenarm and Starkamp. It only goes behind a few houses. Both Glenarm and Starkamp are steep streets which fall off of Brookline Boulevard, just past the business district.
On rainy days, the sensitive touch screen of my phone makes taking pictures difficult. So another mile run but only few pictures.
After conquering Scroll Way (whoops, I mean SOUTH Scroll Way), I hopped into my car and drove over to Brownsville Road. My goal? To complete a section of Library Road.
I also needed some more miles, what with run 501a being only a mile. I ran down Maytide from Brownsville to Saw Mill Run Boulevard. That was a nice downhill. On the other hand, while Saw Mill Run Boulevard is one of the flattest streets, it is also one of the ugliest and busiest roads in Pittsburgh. Skipping past small car dealers, transmission garages and family eateries I got to the eternity light at Library Road. After said eternity, I made my way over to Library Road, running the short section to the border of Castle Shannon. I did a loop and retraced my route, ending up with four miles. This isn’t a very great place to run, with several areas only having a shoulder to run on.
