The High Line - New York City Article

New Life For An Old Rail Yard

The High Line is a public park built on an historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. It is owned by the City of New York, and maintained and operated by Friends of the High Line. Running between Gansevoort and West 30th Streets, the High Line is now over one mile in length, connecting three neighborhoods, the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen, along the west side.

Friends of the High Line fought for the High Line’s preservation and transformation at a time when the historic structure was under the threat of demolition. It is now the non-profit conservancy working with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to make sure the High Line is maintained as an extraordinary public space and works to raise the essential private funds to support more than 90 percent of the park’s annual operating budget.

The High Line design team, consisting of James Corner Field Operations (Project Lead), Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and planting designer Piet Oudolf, created a sequence of varied environments within a cohesive and singular landscape.

The High Line features a series of varied environments consisting of dense plantings of flowers, trees, tall grasses, sundecks, benches, waterfalls, thickets, wildflowers and grasslands to provide a year round experience for visitors.

The High Line is also home to various food vendors during the warmer months of the year and serves as an outdoor gallery for many great pieces of art including statues, paintings, sculptures and videos.

In addition to the wonderful sights and activities available on the High Line, it also offers some incredible views of the city, Hudson River, and the Statue of Liberty. The Diller-von Furstenberg Sundeck features many comfortable lounge chairs from which to experience a very memorable sunset. It goes without saying that the High Line also offers some great people watching for those inclined.

Access to the High Line is possible via any of the access points listed below. The High Line is fully wheelchair accessible.

• Gansevoort Street
• 14th Street (elevator access)
•  West 16th Street (elevator access)
•  West 18th Street
•  West 20th Street
•  West 23rd Street (elevator access)
•  West 26th Street
•  West 28th Street  
•  West 30th Street (elevator access)
•  1th Avenue

For maps and other valuable information regarding the High Line please visit: thehighline.org

or call 212-206-9922

All photos Iwan Baan © 2009, 2011