Running for about a mile on the eastern Side of Manhattan on a former elevated railway line is one of New York’s newest Parks. The High Line is a fantastic example of urban renewal as the former railway tracks make way for trees, grasses and pathways.
The elevated railway had opened to trains in 1934, but by the late 1970s the line was underused with the last train running in 1980 – pulling a cargo of frozen turkeys! During the 80’s various business owners lobbied for the tracks to be demolished. Abandoned for years but thankfully not demolished, the tracks became home to tough grasses, and trees, by 2004 the city of New York recognised the potential in the High Line and $50million was earmarked for its redevelopment into a public space.
The first section of the park opened in 2009, with a further section opening two years later.
Its great to see this park so well used with a mix of locals, joggers and tourists, we can see this working well in other urban areas. Well worth a detour to visit.
The elevated railway had opened to trains in 1934, but by the late 1970s the line was underused with the last train running in 1980 – pulling a cargo of frozen turkeys! During the 80’s various business owners lobbied for the tracks to be demolished. Abandoned for years but thankfully not demolished, the tracks became home to tough grasses, and trees, by 2004 the city of New York recognised the potential in the High Line and $50million was earmarked for its redevelopment into a public space.
The first section of the park opened in 2009, with a further section opening two years later.
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| An old section of track |
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| We loved this seating area |
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| A great view of the busy streets below |
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| The colours work well with the rust iron edging |
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| Gardener at work |
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| Gilbert an George street art |
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| The explosion of blooms almost look like fireworks |
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
I'm so glad you checked out the High Line. I really enjoyed seeing your photos. I've never actually seen it, but I relish every opportunity to see others' photos of it. Some day I'll go.
ReplyDeleteThe high line looks like an interesting public space and I'm glad you visited. I hope you also have the chance to see Wave Hill.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of and seen photos of high line before and it's great to see it again! It looks so cool! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteI've heard great things about the High Line and your photos do it justice.
ReplyDeleteHave read about the High Line in several publications. Must be great to see it :)
ReplyDeleteI do so want to see this in real life, but until then, thanks for this peek. I love the elevated view of the buildings as seen from this lush walkway. Only another gardener could capture it to this gardener's satisfaction.
ReplyDeleteHow funny you made it to the Highline before I did! Hope to see it someday, love your take on it...great photos!
ReplyDeleteI've so wanted to see the Highline - it wasn't there when I was last in NY. Reason enough to go back, I think. dave
ReplyDeleteLovely to see this post and reminds me of our visit last year - its a great park and wonderful re-use of a derelict area. We'll be back in NY in October so hope to visit again.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting what they did with that area. With lack of space in NY they put this area to good use.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Yay you went! And it really should not be too much of a detour in the future... There is so much to see (and eat) in the adjacent areas, in Chelsea and Greenwich Village and so on. Generally my favorite part of Manhattan.
ReplyDeleteIs the Brooklyn Botanic Gsrden next on your list? Wave Hill? This is so exciting...
ReplyDeleteI've never been to NY and I want to see the Highline so badly. How wonderful that you got to see it when all the grasses are in bloom!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea behind using existing structures to grow new plants and merge those manmade buildings into something to change the landscape completely. This could be a great way to use derelict buildings in built up areas and introduce wildlife to places that wouldn't have had it otherwise.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures! It's great that cities are looking for ways to go green and that people are benefiting and enjoying the projects. Too bad I didn't know about this yet when I last visited NYC. Then again, my wife and kids might have gone on a boycott by then.
ReplyDeleteThat is really fantastic! I am so glad they did not tear it down! It's old and new put together!
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