High Line Park NYC

[andreseloy200]

"New York opens High Line park in the sky on elevated railway tracks.

An abandoned elevated railway line that once carried freight over the tough streets of New York's Meatpacking District reopened on Monday as the city's newest park.

Snaking on trestles through the now fashionable lower Manhattan neighbourhood, the High Line Park combines views of the Hudson River, wild vegetation, and echoes of New York's industrial history.

Mario Batali, the chef, and Diane von Furstenberg, the designer, helped Mayor Michael Bloomberg and park founders unveil the first half-mile section on Monday.

The park follows a rail line dating to the 1930s and seemed fated for the wrecking ball, like other relics of the city's grittier past, after the final freight train rumbled over in 1980.

"Rather than destroying this valuable piece of our history, we have recycled it into an innovative and exciting park that will provide more outdoor space for our citizens and create jobs and economic benefits for our city," Mr Bloomberg said at the opening ceremony.

"Ten years ago, detractors thought the High Line was an eyesore. Thankfully, there were a handful of people who looked at the High Line and saw also an extraordinary gift to our city's future. Today, we will unwrap that gift," he added.

The first section was due to open to the public on Tuesday, with a second section, stretching 10 city blocks up to 34th Street, set to be completed some time next year.

A similar project has been built in Paris, but the High Line Park is the first of its kind in the United States, the mayor's office said.

Inspiration for the $152 million project came during the years when the line was abandoned and fans noticed wild, self-seeding vegetation conquer the disused tracks.

Those tracks remain, as do the original Art Deco railings, all blending into new pathways, seats angled toward the sunset, and naturalistic-style landscaping."

Published: 11:02PM BST 08 Jun 2009 by www.telegraph.co.uk

[andreseloy200]

[diskojoe]

i read about this in methome. i thought it was a great idea. please post more pictures if you have them.

looks great.

[andreseloy200]

[christos-greece]

Very nice photos from High line Park in NYC

[Geborgenheit]

What a wonderful idea!

[SYDNEY]

One of the best projects ever, thanks for the pics mate

[.Adam]

Thank you for the photographs, ever time I have visited New York, the meat packing district has been a favorite, and this park just looks fabulous.

[tonyssa]

Amazing!

[Deanb]

simply brilliant! i wish they'd do something like that in tel aviv as well...

[city_thing]

Isn't there one of these (albeit an older one) in Paris too?

Great pictures

[andreseloy200]

...and finally a view from the street

[bb1980]

this is a wonderful project the city government has done.

I wish other cities will follow especially those in midwest/eastern cities.

[capricorn2000]

wow this is an amazing project....gentrifying a rather abandoned railway.

thanks for uploading those photos.

Thread:Vancouver and Burbs

for some reasons this does not work.

[kardeee]

Great addition to New Yorks charm!

[diskojoe]

thanks for the extra pictures.

[dnobsemajdnob]

Only ten years ago, this area was a horrible slum filled with prostitutes and drug dealers. Now, it is beyond magnificent. There are scores of very charming buildings from the early 1800s, cobblestone streets and many magnificent low-rise buildings.