I'm always on the lookout for new things in the cities we travel to regularly so I was excited to see that New York City has a new park! The first section of The Highline opened on June 8th to great reviews.Built on the remains of an old railway running 30 feet above the ground, the narrow park offers a unique opportunity to walk amongst trees and plants surrounded by city without the noise and exhaust of traffic.
The Highline railway was built in the 1930s to move freight along the city’s west side industrial district. In addition to eliminating railroad interference with street traffic, the rail route also improved distribution by running directly through factories and warehouses for loading purposes. Eventually, interstate trucking took over much of the distribution previously handled by rail and the Highline made its last run in 1980.
After several attempts to have the railway structures demolished were met with public protests, the city finally backed a project to reuse the railway as a public space in 2002. Construction on section 1 (from Gansevoort Street, in the Meatpacking District, to West 20th Street, in Chelsea, between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues) began in April 2006. Construction of the second section (20th – 30th street) is underway and completion is expected in 2010.
This video is a really cool depiction of the history and development of the park. Note that the run time is 4:45 but the last minute is credits.
I am really looking forward to our next NYC trip!
Photo at top by Lauren Farmer at Flickr
Photos in center by I'm Just Sayin at Flickr
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