Wednesday, July 22, 2009

High Line



Last Friday, a group of coworkers went on a little excursion after work to the newly opened High Line. The elevated rail line was built in the 1930's and was used to keep hazardous freight off of the city streets. In 2006, renovation began to turn the high line into a public park. When completed, the park will be about a mile and a half and stretch 20-odd blocks. The first phase opened a month or so ago and runs about 12 or 13 street blocks.

I was quite impressed with the variety of plants and flowers incorporated, and almost wish that they had placemarkers so I would know what kind they were! I loved that the benches were designed in a way that they seemed to come out of the concrete. And of course, I appreciate that they kept some portions of the rail line and that some of the lounge chairs rested upon old wheels from the rail cars. There is a portion of the High Line that expands into a mini amphitheater, and is the perfect people-watching spot as you can sit and look down at 10th avenue (or is it 11th?), but also, in the opposite direction is a clear view of the Statue of Liberty in between the buildings. I recommend that you go check it out if you haven't yet.


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