The High Line is a public park on Manhattan’s West Side that was converted from an elevated freight rail route. It is the first public park in the United States built on an elevated rail line. Friends of the High Line, a non-profit conservancy created in 1999 to fight for its preservation and change, owns and operates it. The conservancy raises funds from both private and public sources, in addition to handling maintenance, operations, and public programming.
The High Line’s History
Prior to the High Line, goods trains delivered goods through Lower Manhattan on street-level tracks. In the 1920s, officials decided to elevate the tracks after hundreds of people died. It was built in the early 1930s, and the first trains ran on it in 1933, bringing tones of meat, dairy, and vegetables to buildings and neighborhoods along the route from 33rd Street to 14th Street.
Train use began to wane in the 1960s, and once the trains stopped running in the early 1980s, the structure fell into ruin. Years later, when the change was first planned, the elevated structure was technically sound, but it had long neglected maintenance and was even considered for demolition.
The Preservation of the High Line Park
Residents of the region, Joshua David and Robert Hammond, form the Friends of the High Line community group in 1999, with the goal of establishing an elevated park-greenway inspired by Paris’ Promenade Plantae. They started campaigning for the park’s preservation. The Bloomberg administration supports the idea, having applied to the US Surface Transportation Board in 2002 for permission to build a rail-banked route on the site.
In 2004, the City of New York and the Friends of the High Line held a competition to select the design team. In June 2005, the Surface Transportation Board issues a Certificate of Temporary Trail Use, and the City establishes the West Chelsea Special District to encourage development along the High Line and in the West Chelsea neighborhood. CSX Transportation, Inc. donates the High Line structure south of 30th Street to the City in November 2005. The rezoning allows for new developments, encourages the reuse of Line, promotes affordable housing, and improves the area’s art gallery district.
It’s construction begins in 2006. Friends of the High Line Co-Founders, Mayor Bloomberg, and other government and community leaders inaugurate the first segment of the High Line in 2009. It now exists as a 1.45-mile elevated walkway showcasing art, public activities, and over 500 plant and tree varieties.
High Line Park at Present
The High Line has been transformed from a relic to one of New York City’s most innovative public areas. Originally a derelict railway line, it is now a park where people and visitors may get away from it all and see public art, plants, and city vistas in all directions.
Walking the High Line has become a must-do for practically everyone who visits the city since its inauguration in 2009. You’ll practically walk through history on this roughly 2-mile stretch of historic train line on Manhattan’s West Side, from the city’s busy Meatpacking District to Hudson Yards at West 34th Street. With its unique blend of stunning botanical gardens and urban immersion, the promenade became a free and appealing location.
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Exploration on the High Line
The Chelsea Market
Chelsea Market is a prominent food hall in the Chelsea district, just steps away from the High Line. The market is set in a historic building that was was a scone factory and has been turned into a lively culinary and culture hub. Within, there are numerous food booths selling everything from fresh seafood to handmade baked products. Besides from food, the market also has specialty shops, art galleries, and event facilities. Chelsea Market is a must-see for foodies and anybody interested in experiencing New York City’s unique cultural offerings.
The Hudson Yards
The northern terminus of the High Line ends at Hudson Yards, a city-within-a-city built on top of train lines as well.
Hudson Yards is a lively new neighborhood on Manhattan’s west side built on top of rail yards. It is an elevated park that runs through the middle of the neighborhood, is one of the area’s highlights. It was once a railway line, but it has since been transformed into a one-of-a-kind public park complete with art pieces, gardens, and lounging places. Visitors to the High Line can enjoy panoramic views of the Hudson River and the metropolitan skyline. Hudson Yards also has many stores, restaurants, and cultural institutions, making it a popular tourist and local destination.
The High Line’s Art
The High Line is more than just a park; it is also a thriving public area for art and culture. Around the park, visitors can enjoy a rotating array of art installations in a variety of genres and mediums. Many of the artworks were designed expressly for the High Line and its unique surroundings. Some installations are interactive, allowing visitors to interact with the artwork hands-on. The High Line’s dedication to exhibiting modern art has made it a popular destination for both art connoisseurs and casual tourists, providing a dynamic and immersive experience that is genuinely unique to New York City.
People also ask:
Where does High Line start and stop?
It runs along Tenth Avenue from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street in Chelsea, bending west to Twelfth Avenue around the Hudson Yards complex at its northern end.
How long does it take to walk the High Line?
If you don’t stop to admire the cool outdoor artwork or the vista, walking the 1.45-mile stretch takes roughly 30 minutes.
Is there food on the High Line?
It’s well-known for its delectable made-to-order Angus beef burgers, crispy chicken, hand-spun milkshakes, house-made lemonades, beer, wine, and other beverages.
Do you need tickets for the High Line?
Tickets can be made on the their website. There will be some walk-up passes available, however it is highly encouraged that you make a reservation. Visitation hours are from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. The park is always free to visit.
Where is the best place to start the High Line?
It has 11 entry sites at regular intervals, but for the best experience, start at the southern end, at Gansevoort Street and Washington Street in the Meatpacking District. The path then takes you beneath The Standard hotel, near Chelsea Market, and past several notable art galleries.
Source : thehighline.org | please dm for removals
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