The High Line, NYC newest public space, gives a second chance to the historic elevated tracks. Running through the West Side neighborhoods of the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea and Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen, creates the mile-and-a-half-long elevated park. It features an integrated landscape, designed by landscape architects James Corner Field Operations, with architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro, combining concrete pathways with naturalistic plantings. Fixed and movable seating, lighting, and special features are also included in the park.
The tracks were originally constructed in the 1930s to lift dangerous freight trains off Manhattan’s streets. Transporting frozen turkeys in 1980 was the last run for the High Line leaving the tracks unused in urban decay. Through the mid 80′s Peter Obletz, a Chelsea resident, activist, and railroad enthusiast, challenged the demolition efforts in court and re-established the rail service on the Line. 1999, Friends of the High Line was founded to advocate for the High Line’s preservation and reuse as public open space. 2002, The City files with the federal Surface Transportation Board for railbanking, making it City policy to preserve and reuse the High Line.
View the Flickr group to watch the amazing transformation and join the historic preservation.
Photo: Christopher Musci
Photo: Geoffry Gertz
Thank you for posting this! I LOVE the High Line. It’s one of those places that no matter how many times I go it gives me that only-in-New York-feeling and an overwhelming “this is why I live here”. I can’t wait for the second renovation to be done!
Memories of growing up in Brooklyn, include Ebbets Field and the Brooklyn Dodgers,walking across the Brooklyn Bridge,days spent in Greenwich Village(before it was gentrified,) lunch at Bloomingdale’s and the West Side Highway.It is startling to see it in another stage,almost other-wordly to my eyes.I drink in the sights posted here,this renewal has a dreamlike quality to it.It is a gift in it’s reality. Now, tell me, is Mona’s alive and well in Greenwich Village?