Exploring Safe Local Streets for Riding and Walking - Part II

Brief Re-cap of Part I 

This is the second part in a series of blog posts that explore the creation of a safe route, for pedestrians, bicyclists and other forms of non-motorized use, in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  In Part I (Blog Post of 2/8/21), a brief introduction to the proposal is found and then the first part of the route, from Bethel Green to the entrance to Mollyhill Park, is detailed.  In this post (Part II), we will continue up the steps, into the park, and further along from the Port Authority's pedestrian path.  A link to a map of the entire route is below.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35143046

Description of the Route - Mollyhill Park in Bethel Park to Willow Avenue in Castle Shannon

Close-up map of the route from Mollyhill Park to Connor Road.

Mollyhill Park is located in Ward 5 of the Municipality of Bethel Park.  It is perched on a hillside and can be reached at its lowest point from a pedestrian pathway with stairs leading into the park.  From above, park access is via Santa Fe Drive and a short gravel road.  As we progress along on this virtual journey, we have entered the park from below and are headed uphill.  

Once up the steps, there is a pathway through that climbs the hillside to reach the upper end of the park.  It is steep and can become slippery from grass clippings, leaves, twigs, acorns, snow and/or ice depending upon the time of year.  There can also be feelings of isolation and vulnerability in the park due to the number of trees, lack of lighting, and low usage rates.  To make the park accessible and to create a safer climate, some of the trees need to be cleared, the pathway grade made more gentle, and some lighting installed.  The photos below give a flavor of current conditions in the park.

Looking downward along the pathway through Mollyhill Park.

Entering Mollyhill Park, at its highest point, from Santa Fe Drive.

At the top of the path, there is a small parking area on the left before exiting the park onto Santa Fe Drive.  Because it is not possible for a motor vehicle to leave the park from below, this part of Santa Fe Drive has no outlet and virtually zero motorized traffic, save for the few residents who live there.  

We will follow Santa Fe to a right turn on Overhill Street.  As the name suggests, a climb is required.  This side of the hill is a challenge but is not anywhere as steep as is the other side, coming up from Connor Road.  There are no sidewalks, which usually is not a problem, except during morning and evening rush times when some impatient automobile commuters may be looking for shortcuts to avoid congestion on the main roads.

Since we will be descending the steeper portion of Overhill Street, use care especially if on a bicycle.  About two-thirds of the way down, you'll be looking for a pedestrian pathway on the right, shortly before a neatly trimmed hedgerow.  The asphalt pathway is old and broken up in spots but it is passable.

The pedestrian pathway leading from Overhill Street to the Cemetery.  A bicycle can be carefully ridden on this path.  To make the path safer and more user friendly, widening and resurfacing would be required.

The path meets, at an uphill "T" with another path where we will turn left.  The meeting point requires negotiating an uphill bump as you turn left, so be careful if on a bike.  If walking and heading downward be careful of the large step down created by the bump.  Were this to be made into a viable pedestrian corridor, that bump would require some modification to make tripping or falling less likely.

Eventually, the pathway spits us out and into the St. John's Byzantine Catholic Church Cemetery grounds. There is a driveway/road that leads out to Connor Road.  Currently, nobody seems to mind if an occasional pedestrian or bicyclist rides through.  Were it ever to become part of a sanctioned bike-ped route, an agreement with the chruch/cemetery would need to be worked out.  

Before leaving the cemetery grounds, one might want to pay a visit to the grave of a famous Pittsburgher. The great Andy Warhol's final resting place is usually easy to spot up on the hillside because colorful fresh flowers or wreaths are often placed there.  Mr. Warhol's many adoring fans also leave cans of Campbell's Soup, bottles of Coca-cola, cans of beer, and other tokens at the grave site.

The final resting place of Andy Warhol, a writer and artist who left his mark on Hollywood and on the hearts of Pittsburghers.  The family name was actually Warhola, as evidenced by the tombstones of some family members among whom he is buried.

Connor Road is a four-lane un-divided roadway with heavy traffic at times.  We are only crossing it but because it can be a challenge, exercise an appropriate measure of caution when doing so.  Safe crossing features, such as a crosswalk with flashing yellow lights, would be needed here.

Willow Avenue is on the other side of Connor and we are looking to continue Northward on it.  At this point, we will have left Bethel Park for the fair Borough of Castle Shannon.

Blog Post Part II will end here.  Next time, in Blog Post Part 3, we will pick up on Willow Avenue as we ride through Castle Shannon and into Mount Lebanon.