Take a Walk on the High Side – The High Line, New York
Yeah – OK, it’s a cheap trick to cash in on someone’s lyrics, but this is something worth bringing to your attention.
The ‘big apple’ is busily converting a disused, elevated railway line that runs down the Manhattan Island’s West Side (meatpacking district) into a public park between 18 and 30 foot above street level. When complete the park will be a mile and a half long and no more than 60ft wide at its broadest. With a hefty $170m price tag the park will combine meandering concrete pathways, naturalistic planting, fixed and movable seating, lighting, water features, children’s play areas and viewing platforms to give the public space broad appeal. There will be three access points from street level (every two or three blocks) and most will have elevators in addition to stairways.
The high-line began life in the 1930’s with the idea of lifting dangerous freight trains off Manhattan’s streets after many accidents. Trains ran on the line until 1980, when the last train to use the high line transported a load of frozen turkeys. The southernmost section of the line was demolished in the 1960’s and New York mayor Rudy Giuliani signed a demolition order for the rest of the line in 2001 just before he left office. Fortunately for the ‘Friends of the High Line’, and many future visitors, this decision was reversed by Michael Bloomberg.
Artist impression
The first section is due to open this June – with a fundraiser / summer benefit party on Monday June 15th. Presented by Calvin Klein and tickets going for upwards of $1,000 it’s bound to be a glittering affair. A second section is scheduled for opening in 2010, and discussions are afoot regarding more developments of the line.
Dogs will not be allowed in the park and the park rules include prohibition of the following:
• Picking flowers or plants
• Bicycling, skateboarding, skates and scooters
• Busking without permits
• Solicitation and commercial activity
• Drinking alcohol except in designated places
All in all the park promises to provide a surprising haven away from the hustle and bustle at street level.
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