Around Town, Part one

Right now, I am in Manhattan (Kansas) visiting my friend K. So I've pre-posted some quick things I've yet to talk about. Like this turn-off here, barred off by a cinderblock wall. You can see the steps on the other side along with the pipe/handlebar thing. Where did this lead? Why was it blocked off? I want to know. I want to jump over and explore. Not now, there's someone watching... but soon.