Oh, New York. You make it so hard to condemn you for your garish capitalism when you do such visionary things! Well, to be fair, The High Line Park on Manhattan's West Side is not a city initiative, but one spearheaded by two West Side residents, Joshua David and Robert Hammond. But the City went for it, and you've gotta recognize that.
Through founding Friends of the High Line in 1999, David and Hammond saved New York City's already condemned, elevated industrial rail line -- inoperative for nearly 30 years -- by raising funds and partnering with the City to rehabilitate it into a life-affirming wonder: The High Line public park -- 1.45 miles of walkable, landscaped, water-featuring splendor (see gallery for details.)
In operation from 1934 to 1980, The High Line railway carried meat to the meatpacking district, agricultural goods to the factories and warehouses of the industrial West Side, and mail to the Post Office. Elevating it ensured that some of the hazardous cargo was kept off the city streets.
I visited New York City earlier this year, and this breathtaking sight was at the top of my to-do list. Pictured below is the first part of the park -- one of three parts of the original rail line -- which opened to the public in June of this year. The second sections is slotted in for mid 2010, while the future of the third is unclear, as it remains privately owned (the two parts which underwent the transformation were donated to the city.)
Walking the Line was truly amazing. A serene, inspiring experience amidst a city which embodies urban cacophony. At one point I had me a bit of an epiphany about how NYC maintains its delicate balance between art and commerce. Standing on the sunning deck (see gallery) overlooking the Hudson, I turned to my right to see a ginormous ABSOLUTE ad draping an office tower. My gut reaction was to condemn this visual intrusion upon the park's glorious design, but then I got it: like in all other facets of our modern lives, you have to take in a little advertising to get a little entertainment -- give a little to commerce, and you get a little art. Maintaining this balance is the key to a happy, vibrant city.
Gallery
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