The High Line

Rarely does New York get it right. There is something too traditional about this great city, so that when "new" happens, it's usually in the form of capitalism--restaurants, boutiques, and clubs--not public spaces.

So last night, after a fabulous meal at the Spice Market with Jim and Kathy, and our children who are about to set off back to college, we walked The High Line, the urban park that was built on the former railroad line that ran down the western spine of lower Manhattan.

And they got it right.

It took ten years to conceive and to construct, which in New York time, isn't so bad. Remember there is still a pit at the site of the Twin Towers.

The High Line is located on Manhattan's West Side. It runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street, between 10th & 11th Avenues. Section 1 of the High Line, which opened to the public on June 9, 2009, runs from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street. Section One is owned and operated by the NYC Parks Department. There are young people in uniform throughout the park, politely giving out information, and as it neared 10:00, closing time, nudged us out of this environment.

It's beauty is that the plantings are all indigenous, grasses and thistle, and there are seats along the route, some made from railroad ties, others benches, and Section One ends in a theater that overlooks the street so that you can just sit and watch traffic.

Here is a link to the design. Here is another link to the image gallery.

Much of the financing came from Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg, and as one walks uptown, towards Hell's Kitchen, there it is: the Diller Building, the first Frank Gehry structure to be completed in Manhattan.

This is a gem, a real gift to the people of New York City. Walk it, bring a book, sit, and enjoy the last days of summer.