NYC’s Park in the Sky

Posted on Sep 27, 2011 in Featured, Inspired | 2 comments

I don’t know how

Joshua David and Robert Hammond weren’t on my radar before, but they are now thanks to an inspiring and interesting TED Talk (if you aren’t TED-Talk obsessed, you will be soon if you click HERE).

These two gentlemen have started something truly spectacular in the city of New York. In their attempt to fight for the preservation of the city’s historical and abandoned elevated freight line (called the High Line) the guys decided to do more than just help NYC keep a part of its history in tact – they fought to transform the abandoned High Line into a fabulous green space.

A view of the High Line in 2009. Photo by Iwan Baan.

An aerial view of the High Line Park in the sky project (follow the green line!)

Yes, this incredible green space in NYC is REAL! Photo by Iwan Baan 2011.

Amazing, right?! I will spare you all the historical details about the High Line, instead, here’s the video I saw that led me to look into this project that explains it all:

The High Line requires several professional teams to execute the vision of the Park in the Sky. James Corner Field Operations (Project Lead), Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and planting designer Piet Oudolf were chosen as the dream team from a design competition, but there are numerous other professionals that play an important role in the project that you can read about by clicking HERE.

Luckily for me, I will be traveling to NYC for a couple of days in December, and I will definitely check out the High Line’s Park in the Sky – I hope the weather won’t be too harsh to do some outdoor exploring.

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

When the High Line project is complete, it will be a mile-and-a-half-long elevated park, running through the West Side neighborhoods of the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea and Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen.

The High Line before the construction process - a haven for wild green life. Photo by Joel Sternfeld.

A view of the raw High Line space with the Starrett-Lehigh building in the distance. Photo by Joel Sternfeld.

Even before the official commencement of the High Line project, the space was beautiful. Photo by Jonathan Flaum - June 2005.

Progress in the works! Landscaping and planting in 2008.

There's a lot of planting that needs doing - probably pretty frustrating considering how the wild plants were plucked only to be "replaced".

DESIGN RENDERINGS

These renderings communicate the overall vision of the High Line. The concept of the gardens, pathways and parks is all based on the idea of wild growth, a concept that inspired Joshua David and Robert Hammond while they were visiting the abandoned High Line and wondering what it could be used for. As they admired the abundance of wild flowers and grasses that had claimed the old freight line, they realized how wonderful a green space in the sky could be for New York.

A view of the lawn on 23rd Street.

A view of the Chelsea thicket.

A view of the Gansevoort plaza.

A view of the planking flooring system.

Cross section of the Sun Deck Water Feature and the Rail Preserve.

THE HIGH LINE PARK IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Section 1 and 2 of the High Line Park was opened to the public in early June 2011. It is currently open from 7:00AM to 11:00PM daily, but sorry folks, there’s a strict “No Dogs Allowed” policy in effect to preserve the fragile wild life.

The High Line Park has already become a favourite place for many New York natives. Photo by Iwan Baan 2009.

Newly completed sitting area and public space in the High Line park. Photo by Iwan Banna 2011.

The pedestrian walkway gets a lot of traffic in the High Line Park. Photo by Nikole Buchard.

A view from the High Line Park at magic hour. Photo by Flickr user ikarus50.

A better view of the irregular planking system at High Line Park. Photo by Iwan Baan 2009.

The newly planted greenery surrounding the preserved rail road lines. Photo by Flickr user bugbrooklyn.

I love that Joshua David and Robert Hammond are making an effort to infuse some more green into the urban landscape, and in doing so, they will be improving the lives of many locals and tourists. It sounds like the High Line Park in the Sky is a really special space that allows people to experience Manhattan in a totally different way.

Please be sure to follow the High Line project on their official website by clicking HERE. You can also follow them on Twitter, @highlinenyc, for the latest updates.

All photos courtesy of the High Line’s official site.