High Line Opens in New York City

Former Elevated Railroad Tracks Transformed into a 1.5 Mile Walkway

Jun 14, 2009

The High Line is New York City's newest free attraction with Hudson River and skyline views, guides, landscaping and art that's located in the trendy Meatpacking District

The freight trains that traveled through Manhattan's largest industrial area in the 1930s were endangering the population to the point where the City elevated the tracks above ground. The 22-block "High Line" ran from W. 34th Street south to St. John's Park Terminal at Spring Street and maximized the city's flow of goods and produce. By 1980, the final train carried three carloads of frozen turkeys. The High Line's days were numbered as it deteriorated and its tracks covered over with overgrown weeds.

In 1999 when Robert Hammond and Josh David learned that the High Line might face demolition, the two visionaries founded the community-based, non-profit Friends of the High Line organization. Its purpose was to turn the structure into an elevated public park. Later joined by the City of New York, thousands of volunteers, celebrity backers and a $170 million budget, their efforts produced the rebirth of the High Line. Section 1, which runs from Gansevoort Street to W. 20th opened as a public park in June 2009. The W. 20th to 30th Streets final stretch is slated to open at the end of 2010.

Highlights of the High Line Elevated Walkway

There's a sense of entering a secret, almost forbidden, place when the High Line is accessed by its several staircases or its two elevators. Located 30 feet above ground isn't that high for many New Yorkers but to walk 1.5 miles where trains once traveled and to see open views of the Hudson River on one side and the Manhattan skyline on the other is a dramatic first. And the planners did indeed "capture the quiet, contemplative nature of the High Line after the trains stopped running, creating a world apart from the bustling streets of Manhattan."

One third of the rusty tracks that were removed during the renovation have been returned to the walkway. They are set alongside the pathways made of concrete planks. Planting beds around the tracks and elsewhere contain roughly 210 different plants species ranging from a meadow-like mix of asters, goldenrod and big bluestem grass in the low beds to a grove of gray birch and serviceberry trees in other areas.

The Sundeck, located between W. 15th and 16th Streets will surely be a popular spot with its wooden lounge chairs that are movable on the old train tracks. Also present are long benches and the best view of the Hudson River. An upper walkway is skimmed with water, making it ideal for barefoot visitors and children.

The covered Chelsea Market Passage was a former loading dock and now houses large-scale art installations. Artist Spencer Finch transformed the area's 700 casement windows with individually crafted panes of glass representing the water conditions on the Hudson River over a period of 700 minutes on a single day. He photographed a floating object beginning upriver and as it flowed down to New York City. The artist then carefully matched each unique colored pixel to a pane of glass.

Guides are Available on the High Line

Friends of the High Line volunteers walk along the pathways answering visitors' questions. The guides are identifiable by their gray T-shirts with the green High Line logo (train tracks).

General Information About the High Line

All pedestrians are welcome. There is no entrance fee. Access staircases have many steps but there are two elevators. The High Line meets guidelines established by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Restrooms are available as are water fountains. No bikes, Segways, Rollerblades or dogs. Food is allowed. Visitor access may be limited during the summertime due to the anticipated high volume. Lines may form but move quickly.

The High Line is located on Manhattan's West Side. It runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to W. 34th Street, between 10th & 11th Avenues. Section 1 runs from Gansevoort to W. 20th Street. Hours are from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily. For information, call (212) 500-6035

The copyright of the article High Line Opens in New York City in New York Travel is owned by Judith Glynn. Permission to republish High Line Opens in New York City in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.