South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association

"Neighbors working together to make the Slopes a more livable, beautiful, and safe community"

Category: Projects

South Side Slopes Announces Vibrant Mural at Park Entrance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association Announces New Mural at Arlington Recreation Center to Highlight Entrance to South Side Park

Pittsburgh, PA – 11/19/2024 – The South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association (SSSNA), in collaboration with Friends of South Side Park (FOSSP), is thrilled to announce the upcoming unveiling of a vibrant mural at the Hilltop entrance of South Side Park. This new artwork, created by local artist Roberto “Max” Maxwell, has transformed the blank wall of the Arlington Recreation Center, revitalizing the entrance to Pittsburgh’s hidden 65-acre gem.

The mural aims to create a more welcoming atmosphere and encourage greater use of this under-utilized park entrance. Located in a neighborhood and building that has long been plagued by graffiti, the mural will deter vandalism and provide a safer, more inviting gateway into the park for both residents and visitors. South Side Park is the largest park serving the communities of Arlington and the South Side Slopes, offering trails, playgrounds, and scenic views of downtown Pittsburgh.

About the Artist

Roberto “Max” Maxwell, a tattoo and mural artist with deep ties to the South Side Slopes, is the creative force behind the mural. Max, who has lived in the neighborhood for over 20 years, brings a unique blend of urban and community-inspired art to his work. His murals across Pittsburgh are known for their vibrant color schemes and celebration of local culture. Drawing inspiration from his New York roots and his adopted community’s feedback, Max has crafted a design that captures the spirit of South Side Park.

Community-Driven Design

The mural’s design reflects input gathered from a 2023 community survey, where residents shared their vision for the artwork. As a result, the mural incorporates whimsical elements such as dinosaurs riding an incline—a playful nod to the park’s former “Jurassic Valley” nickname—and scenes depicting the natural beauty of the park’s landscape. Local wildlife like deer, rabbits, and foxes feature prominently.

Project Milestones

The project has received enthusiastic support from the local community, with design drafts presented at various neighborhood events, including the SSSNA Summer Picnic and Holiday Party. The City of Pittsburgh Public Art & Civic Design (PACD) Commission approved the mural in April 2024, followed by City Council approval in May. The project is funded through a $10,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), which covers artist fees and materials.

In July 2024, the City’s Department of Public Works primed the wall, and the mural was completed soon after. Residents and visitors are encouraged to visit the park and view the mural in person.

View photos and more information about the mural here: https://www.southsideslopes.org/mural/

For media inquiries or additional information, please contact:
Email: info@southsideslopes.org
Website: www.southsideslopes.org

About South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association
The South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association works to improve the quality of life for residents of Pittsburgh’s South Side Slopes through neighborhood beautification, public art projects, and community engagement initiatives.

November 19, 2024
Arlington Rec Center Mural Update

See more info about the mural at www.southsideslopes.org/mural

March 4, 2024
Arlington Rec Center Mural Survey

The South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association (SSSNA) is soliciting ideas for a new mural on the side of the Arlington Recreation Center (2201 Salisbury St, Pittsburgh, PA 15210).

Click here to fill out the Survey!

This Community Input Survey can be filled out until March 15, 2023. Results will be shared with the artist team painting the mural.

February 13, 2023
Oakley Street Mosaic Steps

Through a crowdfunding campaign conducted primarily through social media, we raised more than $6,500, allowing us to hire an artist to design and lead the project. Dozens of community members tiled the 77 step risers in 2016.

Click here to see more details about the project: http://www.southsideslopes.org/oakley-street-mosaic-steps-public-art-project/

October 12, 2016
Knoxville Incline Greenway

From 1890 to 1960, the Knoxville Incline served as a connector between the South Side Flats and the hilltop. In 2011, a mural was added at the intersection of Brosville and East Warrington Avenue to remember the historic site. There is a foot trail accessible off of Brosville Street which leads to the Welsh Way stairs and Fritz Street – which both connect to the South Side Flats.

The South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association worked with the Hilltop Alliance, Allentown CDC, and GTECH Strategies to revitalize this area and establish the Knoxville Incline Greenway on the site of the old incline.

The groups worked together to add signage, replace graffiti tagged jersey barriers with natural boulders, add benches, and plant wildflowers. From the benches, you can see a view of Oakland.

August 20, 2016
Church Route Signage Installed

The South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association (SSSNA) is excited to announce the installation of signs marking the “Church Route” through the South Side Slopes. The Church Route is a walking tour that goes up and down our unique stairways providing beautiful views of the city, and featuring glimpses of the eccentric hillside architecture and historic churches. For 10 years this route was a part of the SSSNA’s annual StepTrek but the association decided to formalize the route into a permanently signed walk instead. Funding for the signage was provided by the SSSNA in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, who manufactured and installed the wayfinding signs.

Adam Jette, a volunteer for the annual StepTrek event stated, “It will be nice to have a self-guided tour that residents of Pittsburgh and visitors to our city can use to explore the crazy hillsides of this city. StepTrek is only one day a year but these signs will be available every day.”

The signs are posted at intersections leading from the start of the route at 15th and E. Carson Streets. The Church Route travels up 15th Street eventually ascending many different stairways and adjacent to the historical church of the Slopes. St. Adalabert’s, St. Michael’s, St. Paul’s, and St. Josephat’s churches are highlights of the trip, along with several stunning views of the city and the streets made of stairways.

In keeping with the tradition of StepTrek, an annual tour of two different courses up and down the South Side Slopes, a narrative of the route is provided on the website here: http://www.southsideslopes.org/steptrek/church-route. A brochure with a map and helpful navigation information will be printed this summer, and will be available at the South Side Chamber of Commerce office on 11th and Carson Streets. In addition to a map, the brochure will provide historical anecdotes about the churches and community as well ongoing improvements and changes to the neighborhood.

Press Release: Church Route Signage Press Release

June 20, 2016
Windom / McArdle Gateway Sign

The South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association (SSSNA) is pleased to announce the completion of a unique entrance marker reflecting the uniqueness of the neighborhoods it announces. The signage has been erected on PJ McArdle Roadway on the corner of Windom Street. A grant from the now-defunct South Side Local Development Company (SSLDC) made the project possible.

Peter Kreuthmeier of Loysen + Kreuthmeier Architects, the lead on this project stated, “similar to other ‘welcome to the neighborhood’ markers, the Windom/McArdle Gateway makes use of cor-ten steel as its primary material – paying tribute to the neighborhood’s rich steel history.”

The site is an entry point to both the South Side Flats and South Side Slopes, depending on the direction of travel. The words welcome drivers into each neighborhood – either the Flats or the Slopes. Mr. Kreuthmeier added, “Although the piece has no moving parts, when approaching the Flats, it reads ‘South Side,’ and from the other direction, it reads ‘South Side Slopes.’ For such a simple effect, there was quite a bit of study to get the angles just right.”

Loysen + Kreuthmeier interns, Jonathan Tomko and Mary Waelder played a huge role in seeing the idea become a reality. Credit also goes to the following: the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Works for removing a power pole and repositioning traffic signage; to the U.S. Postal Service for their promise to relocate the relay mailbox; and to Standard & Custom for their expert fabrication and installation services.

Press Release: Press Release_South Side Entry Signage 5-2016

May 26, 2016
18th Street Steps Lighting

In 2012, more than 140 LED light bars, one attached under each stair tread, were installed at the 18th St. bend. Through a partnership with and funding from Duquesne Light, the stairs are now a beautiful, well-lit “gateway” to the Slopes.

October 5, 2012
Bandi Schaum Community Garden
The South Side Community Garden at Bandi Schaum field is a project of the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association, South Side Community Council, City of Pittsburgh, and Grow Pittsburgh. We saw the need for a collective space for folks in our community to come and garden together. Located on the site of the old baseball field at Bandi Schaum, Spring 2012 was the garden’s first season.

To keep up to date on the latest Community Garden news, visit the Official Garden website: http://www.bandischaum.org/

How to Register:

If you are interested in a plot, you need to register with the city. To register, click here.

Gardening Information:
April 7, 2012
Brosville and Monastery Scrim

On August 6, 2008, the garden and metal art installation at the corner of Monastery & Brosville Sts. was dedicated and lit up. The backlit Core ten steel scrim design features a cross section of the Slopes map. Peter Kreuthmeier based the scrim on a cross section of the Slopes map. To the left of center, the large cut out represents St. Paul of the Cross Monastery. Thanks, Klavon Design Associates who designed the garden.

August 6, 2008