Videos: The amazing story of the High Line
This is a great story. A raised train track in the middle of New York City was abandoned. Unused since the 1980s, this train track actually began to grow wild grasses. So much wild grass grew on the track that you could mistake it for the countryside and not a space in the middle of a city. A group formed called Friends of the High Line with the goal of maintaining this green space. In 2005 they got permission to build, in 2006 Mayor Bloomberg broke ground and now architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro are working on making an elevated park from a space that was once a rail road. You cannot legally walk on the High Line right now but there is a book of photos called Walking the High Line to show us what it's like. The video above and two videos below the fold explains the project and include interviews with High Line supporters like movie star Edward Norton. I can't wait for the project to be finished. I wonder if this is the fate of our highway system as well?
[Source: YouTube]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tim 12:24PM (12/08/2007)
Maybe they should bring back the electric trains and get rid of the trucks.
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rgseidl 2:10PM (12/08/2007)
Good idea, especially if designed such that faster traffic (joggers, bicycles, inline skaters) has lanes separated from one for pedestrians. The notion that everyone will stick to walking to "keep it slow" is fanciful in a city as dynamic as New York and anyhow not desirable.
So many traffic lanes may not leave much space for plants in certain sections. However, the structure should easily support substantial cantilevered extensions attached to either side, overhanging public land such as roads. Elsewhere, a second story could be added over the central portion of the structure. The old rails and sleepers could be recycled to construct these additional structures. A couple of playgrounds should be included in the development to attract young families to the area.
Access points should include elevators for bicycles and wheelchairs. Future access enhancements could include a pedestrian bridge across West 34th Street to Jacob Javits, a covered elevated walkway connecting the 14th Street/8th Avenue subway station to Chelsea Market and, a new spur over West 18th Street and across 10th Avenue to the Chelsea Piers Sports Complex.
In theory, substantial additional park space could be created with new lightweight roof structures over the Edison Properties parking lot on West 18th Street, the huge Long Island RR yards between West 30th and West 33rd Streets plus the roofs of large buildings adjacent to the High Line (only if safe to do; access via stairs/elevators inside or on the facade of the buildings). Legally, these expansions could take the form of renewable easements and transfers of liability that the city of New York would pay annuals fees for.
http://graphics7.nytimes.com/images/2002/12/22/nyregion/021222_met_RAILmap.gif
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Atul 4:41PM (12/08/2007)
It's pretty sad that NYC has become so unnatural and such a concrete jungle that this is their idea of greenery. Taking the tracks out and putting dirt and/or paved areas seems like a lot of work. But, it's better than nothing and it's good use of what's already available.
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John Smith 10:00AM (12/10/2007)
"3. It's pretty sad that NYC has become so unnatural and such a concrete jungle that this is their idea of greenery. Taking the tracks out and putting dirt and/or paved areas seems like a lot of work. But, it's better than nothing and it's good use of what's already available.
Posted at 4:41PM on Dec 8th 2007 by Atul"
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New York is not any more or less "natural" than a beaver's dam.
It exists in nature, and thus is "natural" since man, like beavers and ants, is part of nature.
I like this idea and I think it should be expanded. There should be elevated greenery in all cities.
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