The High Line

I had not seen it before but I was so happy when I finally saw it I was so happy to see the work they had done on it. The High Line in NY is proof that all things have more than one use and that reusing them can be a great thing for the common good.

I thought this was a cool sign - simple and straight to the point with some humor in it.

It was built in the 1930's to take dangerous freight traffic out of the city's main industrial areas. The line had not been in use since the 1980's and in 1999 a non profit group save it from being demolished and proposed to turn it into a park.

Some of the many flowers planted all over the park 

Since then the local goverment and the Friends of the High Line have worked to turn this space into a park for the enjoyment of New Yorkers and tourists alike. The first section of the park opened in 2009 and the second part, which in currently under construction, it scheduled to open in 2011.

View of Chelsea from the park and loungers made with recycled wood and train parts 

I love the design done by landscape architects James Corner Field Operations, with architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro. The whole concept is environmentally friendly and modern adapting the whole space to the surrounding buidlings providing a beautiful landscape to hotels and office buildings alike.

I strongly advise you to visit the park if you are visiting the city because this place tells you how much New Yorkers love their city and they things they do to make it a better place. If you are a New Yorker, take care of the park and enjoy the great work these people have done.

Enjoy your day and see what you can do to improve your own communities!