End of High Line at 30th Street where new section will start.
Glimpse of new section
Last week Niki and I were in New York again and, of course, we visited the High Line.
At the top end (basically W.30th Street), we were able to catch a glimpse of the new section that is supposed to open some time this fall.
I can’t believe how much the shrubs and trees, in particular, have grown since the High Line first opened in June 2009. I really shouldn’t be surprised since I am continually preaching patience to my clients. Nevertheless, some of the trees are really quite large now in spite of their limited root space.
Rosa virginiana hips
Magnolia virginiana
Magnolia macrophylla var. ashei
Botanically, there is so much to see but orange rose hips, a few Magnolia Virginia blossoms, and the huge leaves of Magnolia macrophylla var. ashei were just a few of the plants that caught my eye.
New condominium next to and overlooking The High Line
New apartment leasing information
The other surprise this time was the amount of construction that has been engendered by the High Line. There are elegant condominiums and apartments, office buildings, and even the new Whitney Museum of Art. If you have to live or work in the city, what more could you ask for than a lovely, busy public park just outside your window?
Temporary exhibit of old rail tracks as sculptures
New art engendered by High Line
Since its inception, works of art have been installed on the High Line and alongside it. This time, there was a temporary installation of old railroad tracks positioned vertically as sculptures in one of the beds. Looking down from the High Line, I also saw a building wall that had been painted by two different artists, The upper part of the wall was a brightly hued painting of entwined dancers. The lower part was a mural characterizing the local scene in the early nineteen hundreds.
Lovers
As usual, the High Line was thronged with people even though it was a weekday afternoon. Children were having a wonderfully wet time scampering in the sundeck water feature while adults were lazing on the lawn or reading on a bench. Hundreds more were walking and photographing the entrancing plantings while a few were doing what lovers do, kissing.
I’ve heard rumors that Rotary is trying to do something similar to the High Line in Cleveland with a section of abandoned track. Wouldn’t it great for our city if that became a reality?
2 Comments