The New York City High Line is a one mile long city park which was built on an elevated section of the New York Central Railroad. It is located on the western side of Manhattan. The former railroad tracks have been converted into a beautifully redesigned aerial greenway. The park goes from Gansevoort Street, through Chelsea, by way of 30th Street and onto the West Side Yard, close to the Jacob Javitz Convention Center. Gansevoort Street is located just three blocks from West 14th Street, also known as the Meatpacking District.
This stunning and newly constructed park was designed by the architectural firm of James Corner Field Operations and architects Diller Scofidio and Renfro. The designing of the plants was the responsibility of Piet Oudolf from the Netherlands. Backers of the HighLinePark projects include Diane von Furstenberg along with her husband and children and hotel developer, Andre Balazs.
There are nine entrances into the park and four of those entrances are handicap accessible. The park is open everyday of the week from 7:30 in the morning until 11:00 in the evening. There are rules associated with the park, like everything else in life. Most of the rules are pretty common sense like no walking on the plants, no bikes, no drinking and no littering.
The New York City High Line has attracted a lot in the pop culture scene. In the 2007 smash hit “I Am Legend,” some of the scenes in the movie were filmed below the High Line as well as in the Meatpacking District. In 2012, there was an episode of The Simpsons called “Moonshine River” where the family takes a trip to New York City. Bart and an old girlfriend had taken an outing on the High Line.
The High Line features food vendors who sell products that are good to eat and good for the land as well. As of 2012, there were nine vendors selling their food on the High Line. Bark, for example, sells American classics that are created from ingredients that are not only local, but are of the highest quality. Their signature Bark Burger is made from organic beef and seasonal vegetables, sure to be a delicious bite. L’Arte Del Gelato, also in the park, was created almost a decade ago and makes gelati and sorbetti with first class ingredients. They use milk that comes from Battenkill Valley Creamery in Salem, New York. Melt Bakery sells delicious ice cream sandwiches, also made from local ingredients. Their signature “Lovelet” sandwich is created from red velvet cakes with cream cheese ice cream, not friendly in calories, but very friendly in taste.
The spring and summer months will undoubtedly bring thousands of city residents and tourists to the High Line. Will you be one of them?
By Deana Clark