HighLine Highlights
So I’ve recently returned from a trip to New York City...and what were the highlights? Well, many, but from a landscape perspective I’ve got to say the HighLine!
The HighLine in lower Manhattan has been a project I’ve followed since my last visit, six years ago, when I saw a model of the proposed project at MOMA, the Museum of Modern Art. It’s just another example of Manhattanites reclaiming a disused, derelict space and creating a wonderfully green oasis for locals and visitors alike.
So I’ve recently returned from a trip to New York City...and what were the highlights? Well, many, but from a landscape perspective I’ve got to say the HighLine!
The HighLine in lower Manhattan has been a project I’ve followed since my last visit, six years ago, when I saw a model of the proposed project at MOMA, the Museum of Modern Art. It’s just another example of Manhattanites reclaiming a disused, derelict space and creating a wonderfully green oasis for locals and visitors alike.
A railroad built above ground in the early 1930s to provide a safer method of delivering meat and other goods to warehouses in the meat packing district, it replaced a ground-level system which caused so many fatalities it was labelled “Death Avenue”. Once fairly grungy, the meat packing district is now home to very cool bars, restaurants and designer boutiques...well of course I had to sample some!
Disused since 1980, the rail line became derelict and was earmarked for demolition to allow further development. But two men saw potential in this urban wilderness, in the wildflowers and shrubs established amongst the tracks. They put their heads together and founded ‘Friends of the High Line’ in an effort to reclaim the structure and develop a green open space for the people who live, work and visit the city of Manhattan. Since then, this wonderful project has sprung to life with wildflower meadows, woodlands, wetlands and grasslands. Some of the original tracks and sleepers have been retained, while old barriers have been sandblasted (individual sections were covered in a tent-like structure to contain particles from the old lead-paint), then repainted. Reusing these original elements offer an appreciation of the historical significance of the Line and so you get a real sense of place and time.
Contrastingly, modern, sustainable furnishings are used to style the HighLine: sun lounges, stepped seating of beautiful timber and organic bench seating which seams to rise up out of the walkway. Modular pre-cast concrete ‘planks’ are used for ground surfacing, with some planks tapering to allow planting and walkway to blend. A sundeck water feature invites barefoot wading, with sculpture adding another dimension to the experience. A place to spend a lunch hour or lazy sunday afternoon - relax, read, ramble, take in some sun or just people-watch.
Lawn is used sparingly, but provides further opportunity to chill out. Wetlands included carex and verbena, while grasslands of festuca, miscanthus and pennisetum wave magically in the breeze. Its wildflower meadows combine
Lawn is used sparingly, but provides further opportunity to chill out. Wetlands included carex and verbena, while grasslands of festuca, miscanthus and pennisetum wave magically in the breeze. Its wildflower meadows combine
the blues of nepeta and salvia with the bright yellow yarrow and muted coneflowers. This is one of my favourite sections of the High Line, being so lush and green, yet dotted with soft colour.
The ‘woodlands’, yes ‘woodlands’, include rich plantings of birch, sassafrass, viburnum and cercis, among many others. An inspiring demonstration of what we can achieve, with the help of modern technology, when creating aerial gardens such as terraces, rooftops and....disused railway lines.
Grasses waving in the breeze, soft colour, lush green foliage, shade trees....what a wonderful, soothing contrast to the busyness of life in lower Manhattan.
Further info: http://thehighline.org/
Further info: http://thehighline.org/
